A man who allegedly spat in the face of a fellow gym member, in the third racial complaint at Virgin Active, has been suspended from the club.
Ross Faragher-Thomas, the managing director of Virgin Active in South Africa, said disputes between members were treated seriously and investigated thoroughly.
“In the event of any member misconduct, a hearing is called which could, and has in the past, resulted in members being suspended or expelled.
“Following a full investigation regarding the incident at the Virgin Active Hatfield Club… the member’s contract has been suspended in accordance with Virgin Active’s misconduct procedures,” he said.
Last week Brian Maluleke, 23, told a Sunday newspaper he was afraid to set foot in the Pretoria gym again after a white member spat at him.
“I asked him why he spat on me. He rudely said: ‘It was a mistake. Sorry, dude. I was trying to lift a weight,’ “ Maluleke was quoted as saying.
In a separate incident last year at the Sandton gym, Liz Hleza was allegedly told to keep quiet and was called: “This bloody k*****, you k*****.”
At the Sunninghill Virgin Active in Johannesburg last month, Lesley Mofokeng laid a criminal charge after he was called a “boy”.
Cape Argus