Another racist rant from an estate agent
ANOTHER Durban real estate agent is under investigation for racist comments after footage surfaced of her swearing at police officers who were trying to help her following a smash and grab.
The police and the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmed they were investigating the incident, which happened in Joburg.
But Durban realtor Vicki Momberg is considering taking legal action against eNCA after the broadcaster aired her racist rant on TV on Thursday night.
In the eNews insert, Momberg was caught on video calling black people the offensive k-word, and saying in front of police officers that she would drive over black people, and shoot them if she had a gun.
Last night, she told eNews that she was “surprised” that the broadcaster had aired the video of her racist rant, and that she was consulting her lawyers over the issue. She, declined to comment further.
In the video, Momberg is seen complaining about the level of service she got from black police officers.
The agent is heard telling the police officers, that she had tried calling the police 50 times for help, but that the people who answered the phone had been black and “useless”.
Though the two police officers tried to calm her down, Momberg refused assistance, and compared the black people of Gauteng with those in Durban, saying black people in Gauteng were arrogant and opinionated.
A white policeman is heard trying to calm her down, and telling her she could be arrested
Momberg’s mother, Davina Momberg, told News24 last night, that she was “absolutely shocked” to find that her daughter had spoken that way.
“What they said there and what I saw, it is not what I agree with, definitely not. Who would do a thing like that in their right mind?” Davina asked News24.
She said her daughter would probably share her side of the story when she was in a better frame of mind.
“Nobody brings someone up in that way. I mean, you just don’t do it. But if you get attacked and your life is threatened, who knows what you are capable of doing.”
Police have refused to confirm whether the woman in the video is indeed Momberg, but said that a case of crimen injuria had been opened against a female motorist.
“Matters of this nature will not be processed through the media,” Brigadier Mashadi Selepi of the SAPS said.
Acting National Police Commissioner Kgomotoso Phalane called the incident “unfortunate”.
“There was an attempt to calm the lady down and unfortunately she continued saying what she did. I’m proud that members, despite negative experiences, continue to serve our country.” he added.
Selepi said police officers were victims of racial rants on a regular basis.
“Members of the community are warned to respect our members in the execution of their duties. We are not going to tolerate such behaviour,” she added.
The South African Human Rights Commission confirmed it would investigate. While the commission has not received any formal complaints, it has decided to launch an own-initiative investigation.
Spokesman Isaac Mangena said yesterday the video had come as a “shock”.
“More shocking is that the anger directed is directed at black police who were actually there to help.
“We condemn this incident like all other racist incidents we have seen recently. There is no space for racial intolerance in our country.”
Mangena added that they had also noticed an increase in racial incidents since the Penny Sparrow incident. Sparrow, who is a former KwaZuluNatal estate agent, made derogatory comments about black beachgoers on social media at the start of the year. Last week, she was ordered to pay R150000 to the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation after being found guilty of hate speech.
ANC lawyer Peter Williams confirmed a court order was served on Sparrow’s daughter Charmaine Cowie on Monday.
He said the Equality Court judgment was the same as a civil court judgment, and if she failed to pay, the normal civil procedures would apply.