Road rage and race rage

Capetown-150115-Jolana-Jo Huysamer leaving Wynberg court after she was granted bail. where she appeared on charges of racial abuse-Picture by BHEKI RADEBE

Capetown-150115-Jolana-Jo Huysamer leaving Wynberg court after she was granted bail. where she appeared on charges of racial abuse-Picture by BHEKI RADEBE

Published Jan 16, 2015

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Carlo Petersen

THE State said it would start opposing bail in race-related cases as the latest of 15 cases in less than a year was heard in Wynberg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Former Reddam House junior tennis coach Talana-Jo Huysamer, 23, was charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and crimen injuria yesterday after Chantlé Hoffmann, 42, of Ottery, was allegedly called the K-word and shocked with a Taser device in Harfield Village, Claremont, on January 3.

During proceedings, Wynberg District Control State prosecutor Nathan Johnson said: “These cases seem to be quite prevalent. In just over a year, this court has heard 15 race-related cases.

“These incidents seem to be a growing problem and the State’s stance will in future be to oppose bail in such matters.”

Huysamer was arrested at her Hout Bay home at 9am on Wednesday.

Johnson told the court that Hoffman was driving her VW Polo Vivo in Pembrook Road in Harfied Village on January 3.

“She was looking for parking when she saw the accused speeding down the road in a Mini Cooper after coming out of 2nd Avenue,” he said.

“The accused stopped opposite a parking bay which the complainant was ready to use. Both the accused and the complainant refused to move their cars and an altercation ensued in which the complainant was verbally assaulted and Tasered.

“The accused also attempted to Taser the complainant in her face, but was stopped from doing so.”

Johnson told the court the accused was also heard saying: “You better move your f****** car or I will Taser you the f*** out of here.”

He said Huysamer was alleged to have told Hoffmann: “You f****** k*****, you don’t belong here. You should go back to where you belong.

“She kept on shouting the K-word, using it at least five times. Then she took out her Taser and used it against the complainant’s arm, bruising her arm, and then tried to Taser her in the face,” said Johnson.

Magistrate Vanessa Miki postponed the matter until February 13 for the State to obtain statements from witnesses.

Bail was set at R5 000 for Huysamer to be released from custody. Reddam House director Sheena Crawford-Kempster confirmed that Huysamer was a tennis coach at the school from June to November 2014.

Some of the 15 cases Johnson referred to included an incident involving Manenberg cleaner Delia Adonis, 52, who was allegedly brutally attacked and racially assaulted by three men – Chad de Matos, 19, Aaron Mack, 20, and Mitchell Turner, 20 – in front of her son in Main Road, Claremont, on October 17.

A few weeks earlier, swimming instructor Tim Osrin also allegedly attacked domestic worker Cynthia Joni, 44, in Kenilworth.

Also in Claremont, SANDF dentist Jan van Tonder was charged with attempted murder for allegedly sjambokking gardener Muhammed Makungwa, 22, in the street while on his way to work.

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