NATIONAL NEWS - The use of the k-word, especially by a former Robben Island political prisoner, was dehumanising, horrible and defamatory, Investec chairperson Fani Titi told the Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Under cross-examination by attorney Bevan Ndebele, representing accused Peter-Paul Ngwenya, Titi testified how being called a “QwaQwa k****r” in an SMS from Ngwenya had made him feel.

The case is before Magistrate Pravina Raghoonandan, who put Vicki Momberg away for crimen injuria for using the k-word, and senior prosecutor Yusuf Baba, who prosecuted the case.

This time it’s the black-on-black version of the same story, except that Momberg used the word 48 times, whereas Ngwenya only sent one SMS to Titi.

It’s sure to fuel the discussion outside the courtroom about whether Ngwenya’s SMS, which is not in dispute, was racist or “merely” criminally damaging to Titi’s character.

Titi attested in court that, as a person on the world stage, it was dehumanising to be associated with the k-word and that he found it humiliating.

Read more on the Caxton publication, The Citizen.