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'Degraded' Amor seeks R1m damages
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October 27, 2009
By Zelda Venter
Celebrity Amor Vittone feels so "extremely insulted and degraded" by the remarks about her in a recently published book about the sex life and scandals of the famous that she has issued summons against the author, the publisher as well as a Sunday newspaper which published snippets from the book.
Vittone, the wife of former Springbok Joost van der Westhuizen, is claiming R1-million for the "defamatory" statements about her.
The claim is against tabloid journalist Yolanda Barnard, author of Die Ponies Gallop (The Ponies Are Galloping), in which she "exposes the sex and scandals of stars", and against publisher Griffel Media and distributor Exclusive Books.
Vittone also claimed damages from Sondag newspaper for publishing the snippets.
Well-known Mooikloof businesswoman Urma Mollema, who also features in the book, and the company Mrs South Africa are also claiming R250 000 in damages resulting from the book after they claimed they too had been "bad-mouthed".
Vittone said in her claim that the references made to her in the book and in the newspaper were untrue, offensive and outrageous. She quoted some of the offensive remarks, which include a reference to her passing wind, stated in rather uncouth language.
Barnard, known for her razor-sharp tongue, compared Vittone's flatulence to that of a horse. She said that when Amor became nervous, she "farted like a horse", and that she (Barnard) was able to smell her before she even saw her.
It was stated in the summons that "any person, especially a woman, of whom this is said will feel extremely insulted, degraded and prejudiced. No reasonable person would publish such a statement about another person without the intention to cause damage to the reputation of the concerned person".
It is further stated that this quotation is defamatory and that Vittone, a well-known artist, is clearly identified.
Vittone is also aggrieved by another quotation in which Barnard wrote that Vittone did not like rugby. She said it was clear from this that Barnard "writes untrue averments, despite knowledge of the true facts, and does so with the specific intention to defame her (Vittone) and other people she writes about".
Vittone referred to a passage in Barnard's book in which she described how the two of them sat eating pizza, during which time Vittone spoke of her marriage to Joost. Barnard wrote that when she asked Vittone if Joost cheated on her, Vittone said: "I don't know. Perhaps."
Vittone said this information was factually wrong, not proven, private, and published with the intention to defame her.
She added that prior to the publication of the book, she had objected and made it clear that some of the statements were untrue and degrading.
She said that in spite of the parties knowing very well that she had objected, they had gone ahead and published the book.
"Their actions are positively provocative, wrongful and crossing all borders of proper publications and reasonable journalism..." the summons said.
In her summons, Mollema, also clearly feels aggrieved by the references made regarding her in the book, of which 8 000 copies were distributed throughout the country. She too said the statements were false and defamatory.
Some of the references in the court papers refer to her as a woman "who is not very pretty". Barnard wrote that her "eyes were tiny and too close to each other" and added that her (Barnard's) "granny always said if one's eyes were set too close to each other, you cannot trust that person".
Mollema said this implied she was unattractive and dishonest.
Barnard's statements in the book are described by Mollema as being "sordid and untrue" and aimed at causing her damage.
The Mrs South Africa company is aggrieved because Barnard, among other things, referred to the competition as a farce.
The plaintiffs are represented by well-known city attorney Ferdi Hartzenberg, who was once described by Barnard as "my good friend".
The defendants still have to indicate whether they will oppose the claims.
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