Man who peed on taxi driver 'can't pay'

Former model and University of Cape Town student Djavan Arrigone, who was convicted of assault for urinating on a taxi driver from the balcony of a night club, has pleaded poverty.

Meanwhile, taxi driver Michelle Nomgcana said his sangoma told him he needed about R150,000 to cleanse bad luck caused by the incident.

Arrigone, who was fired by Boss Models in 2014 after the offence emerged, pleaded for leniency in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court yesterday. He urinated on taxi driver Michelle Nomgcana from the balcony of the Tiger Tiger nightclub in January 2014.

He was found guilty of assault and crimen injuria last year.

His lawyer, Eben Grobbelaar, painted a picture of a youth in need. He said Arrigone would not be able to pay a fine after losing his R50,000 a month job. The model blamed alcohol for his conduct that night.

"[He] has never associated with anti-social peers and does not have a history of anti-social behaviour," said Grobbelaar. "The accused is a productive member of society and can be an [asset] to society and low risk of committing such an offence in future. He is a full-time student, plays the guitar and does vocals. [The court should not] curb these activities."

Prosecutor Phumeza Zondi proposed a prison sentence with the option of a fine.

"The complainant testified that he is a laughing stock . people laugh at him and say that he is that person who was urinated on by a white person," Zondi said. "[Arrigone] showed no remorse. On the day of the incident he shouted at the scene that he had not made a mistake by urinating on a black person, saying that he is rich and came from overseas."

Outside court, a distraught Nomgcana said he had lost his taxi business because the incident had caused him bad luck. He is hoping to get compensation from Arrigone through the Equality Court.

"My sangoma said I will require R150,000 and must slaughter a cow to cleanse myself of the bad luck," said Nomgcana. "This has strained my relationship with my girlfriend."

Arrigone will be sentenced on September 30.