Virgin sacks 'prostitute' attack coach

A Cape Town swimming teacher has been fired from his job at Virgin Active after he admitted to assaulting a woman after mistaking her for a prostitute.

Domestic worker Cynthia Joni, 44, was walking along Greenfield Road in Kenilworth last Wednesday when Osrin got out of his car and slapped her, knocking her to the ground. He was arrested and the case is pending in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court.

Osrin, a well-known cyclist in Cape Town, said he hit Joni because he thought she was a prostitute.

Virgin Active said on its Twitter account - @virginactiveSA - yesterday morning: "We've terminated the contract of #TimOsrin, as a swim school coach and member of our health clubs. We do not tolerate such behaviour."

Later yesterday, the company released a statement in which Virgin Active SA MD Ross Faragher-Thomas said: "We simply do not tolerate any discriminatory behaviour of any kind by members in our clubs or by tenants associated with our company. That is why we made the decision yesterday to terminate Mr Osrin's contract as a swim school coach and as a member of our health clubs."

Osrin was not available to comment yesterday.

Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce advocacy manager Cherith Sanger said: We "applaud Virgin Active for their decision to dismiss Osrin for his actions".

Spokesman for non-profit Sonke Gender Justice, Marlise Richter, also condemned the attack. "While gender-based violence is never acceptable under any circumstances, it is particularly troubling that Osrin noted that his actions were justifiable because he believed Joni was a sex worker," she said.