Sparrow was to appear in the Equality Court for hate speech after calling black people “monkeys” in a Facebook rant in January but went to ground immediately after a storm erupted over her remarks.
Instead‚ her daughter told the court that she was not present because she feared for her life.
Charmaine Cowie told Judge Irfaan Khalil her mother was sick and had diabetes.
“She is unable to come to court. The distress this has caused. She tried to get legal counsel but no one would represent her. The detective asked me to come to court and make an apology and request an adjournment.”
When asked what she had to apologise for‚ Cowie said to apologise for the comments she had made on Facebook.
“She can’t be present because of the fear for her life,” Cowie said.
Present in court were African National Congress (ANC) provincial members including provincial secretary Super Zuma.
