Catzavelos pleads guilty to crimen injuria
Johannesburg businessman Adam Catzavelos pleaded guilty to a charge of crimen injuria at the Randburg Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Catzavelo hit the headlines last year when a video of him using the k-word on a beach in Greece went viral after it was leaked on social media.
His attorney Lawly Shain told the court that Carzavelos was under the influence when had made the video.
He says the accused accepts that the use of the derogatory word is insulting.
"The accused admits that he took the video and uttered those words on August 12, 2018 but accepts that the video was seen for the first time by the complainant [Mandisa Mashego] on August 27, 2019.
“The accused admits that the use of the k-word insulted and impaired the dignity of those who heard it.”
Shain further explained that Catzavelos was the victim of crime on two separate occasions before his holiday in Greece.
“While hiking the accused and his party were attacked and rocks were thrown at him and he had to run away further incident occurred when there was an attempted hijacking. I’m not looking for excuses in anyway, your worship.
“He stated to me why he didn't say criminal. He doesn't regard all black people as criminal.
“Your worship, everyone on the beach was white, it is so, but I am not coming to say he is not racist but these are the circumstances that gave rise to the disgusting selfie that he took. He accepts responsibility for his actions.”
Sentencing proceedings are due to start on February 13.