Johannesburg - Advocate Nardus Grove for shamed Estate agent Vicki Momberg, whose racist rant aimed at black policemen was caught on video and went viral on social media, said his client was apologetic about the incident and she wanted him to convey the message to the public.
Grove made the remarks on Thursday in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, where his client was facing crimen injuria charges. He was trying to persuade the court not to allow the matter to be broadcast live on television.
Earlier, state prosecutor, Yusuf Baba, had submitted an application from media houses to Magistrate Penny Viljoen in which they sought permission for live television broadcasts of the court proceedings.
Grove opposed the application saying it was his instruction to oppose the application because the matter was being "sensationalised" and would ruin his client’s career.
In February Momberg was a victim of a smash and grab incident in Northriding, Johannesburg. Her subsequent interaction with black policemen who were trying to assist her was captured on video.
In the video Momberg appears upset and she says she does not want to be assisted by black police officers. Using the K-word, Momberg belittles the officers, who remain calm and restrained.
"It was a traumatic incident and she snapped and it has caused very bad publicity for her and she has always had good relationships with her clients of all races," said Grove.
He told the court that Momberg didn’t want to be branded as a racist by the media because that is not the person she is.
"She has prepared a written apology that she has asked me to convey."
Testifying in favour of the matter being televised, National Prosecution Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Louw said the state believed that the public has the right to be informed about the case.
"These kind of cases are in the increase and it’s the NPA must protect the dignity of all people. There’s no prescribed sentence but the court must apply it’s mind and regard the seriousness of the offence."
Magistrate Viljoen, however, ruled that there will be no live television broadcasts of proceedings. She postponed the matter to 1 August 2016.
African News Agency