Racist attack shocks Happy

Gym suspends member after racist rant

“It was one of the worst days of my life,” Ngidi said.

Pulling out of a parking bay at Virgin Active in Constantia Kloof, Ngidi’s only aim was to get home, unaware the man waiting to pull into her bay wasn’t just another gym-goer. “I saw the man in my rear view mirror and noted a bit of impatience, but quickly brushed it off as Joburg road rage, shook my head and drove away.”

Just before exiting the shopping square where the gym is located, Ngidi noticed the same man pulling up next to her. “He violently jumped out of the car enraged by the fact that I had shook my head at him,” she said. According to Ngidi, he then shouted, “You baboon, who do you think you are? You k*****, I will beat you up!”

Shocked and emotionally overwhelmed by the racial abuse Ngidi broke down in her car. Refusing to be a victim Ngidi contacted the Honeydew SAPS who later confronted the man. Ngidi is confident she has a case in court as “police experienced my attacker’s reaction first hand when they took his rather hostile statement.”

“I wouldn’t risk my public image for sensation. I’m spending time and money on this case for the greater good of others.”

Virgin Active SA spokesperson Les Aupiais said “We simply do not tolerate any form of racial abuse, prejudice or threats of physical violence in our clubs.” The gym is in possession of video material where the attacker’s violent body language is quite visible.

“Members who break our rules of conduct will find out very quickly that they are no longer welcome at our health clubs. In the case involving Happy Ngidi, we were appalled at the verbal abuse she suffered and having witnessed the threat of physical violence against her, we acted swiftly.”

“We also fully support Miss Ngidi’s involvement of the SAPS in the case. Within an hour of the initial incident, we suspended the offending member’s access to the club and within 24 hours, had issued him with a life ban. We want to provide members with a safe environment in which to train and no-one should have this right taken from them.”

The Honeydew SAPS confirmed that a case of crimen injuria was opened and is under investigation.