Cape Town - A Cape Town salesman was on Friday found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend's domestic worker last year and spitting in her face.
The Cape Town Magistrate's Court ruled that 36-year-old Andre van Deventer's version of what took place during an argument with Gloria Kente was highly improbable.
Magistrate Alta le Roux said the State had proven the charge of assault beyond a reasonable doubt.
She said it was clear he had a short temper and felt nothing of showing how he felt in a physical way.
It was also strange that he could remember only certain aspects of what happened last June.
Van Deventer, wearing jeans and a top, rested his arms on the dock and played with his fingers.
Kente previously testified about how Van Deventer assaulted and swore at her at her employer's home in Table View last June. The domestic worker told the court he grabbed her pyjamas, verbally assaulted her and spat in her face.
He admitted to the crimen injuria charge, but denied assaulting her.
Last month, he admitted on the stand that calling Kente a “k****r” was unnecessary, but said he had been fuelled by anger.
At the time, he said he was upset when Kente interrupted him while he was drinking beer and trying to connect an electronic device to a television.
He said he used the racial insult to describe her during an argument with his ex-girlfriend. The intention had not been for Kente to hear him, even though he was screaming in the bedroom.
Kente heard him, they started arguing in the corridor, and he insulted her again, this time to her face.
The Cape Town Equality Court, in a separate case on the same incident, ruled on October 24 that Van Deventer pay Kente R50 000 in compensation.
The court will finalise sentencing on December 12.
Sapa