Yes, Momberg offended blacks

The Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday found estate agent Vicki Momberg, pictured, guilty of four counts of crimen injuria for her racist outbursts at police emergency telephone operators and a black police officer.

“If one calls one a k-word, it will institute crimen injuria and is deeply offensive to blacks,” Magistrate Pravina Raghoonandan said.

“She did not use control and [the remarks] were directed specifically at black people. She knew her actions were unlawful … the accused’s actions were rational and intentional.”

Raghoonandan read the testimonies of the 10111 operators, who were insulted by Momberg while they were attempting to assist her. Momberg was the victim of a smash-and-grab incident in North Riding, Johannesburg.

“Six state witnesses confirmed that a call came in from a woman who sounded white and needed assistance, but there was a challenge because she was screaming and using the k-word,” Raghoonandan read.

In February, Momberg, 48, was caught on camera calling a police officer the k-word while he was assisting her following the incident. Momberg was recorded on the video using the k-word 48 times.

“According to the witness, the words used made him feel useless and made him feel black and stupid.”

Momberg pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying she was emotionally stressed and severely traumatised following the incident.

The accused had claimed in her version that a “black officer came towards her like he was going to hit her … all the white officer wanted to do was know what happened to her”.

Momberg said during the trial that she used the offending words out of frustration and that the video footage showing her making the racial slurs was tampered with.

Sentencing has been set for November 30 and December 1. – ANA