Amor: Joost is trying to harm me

Cape Town – Some of Joost van der Westhuizen's allegations against his estranged wife, Amor Vittone, are "false and simply another attempt from him to harm me".

This is what Vittone said in a statement after former Springbok captain Van der Westhuizen dragged her name through the mud in an interview with Huisgenoot over several issues related to their pending divorce.

"I made a conscious effort to prevent our differences and disputes from being discussed in public, but it did not prevented the publication of allegations that affects my dignity and reputation," said Vittone.

'False' issues

She raised five issues in particular that, she says, are false.

"I deny that I had any improper relationship with any third party while Joost and I still lived together.

"I also did not in any way try to destroy the relationship between Joost and any of his medical practitioners. In fact, I wish that he can receive the best medical treatment. He does remain the father of my children."

Vittone also said on Thursday that she's not dragging her feet with the divorce. She requested her lawyer, Selwyn Shapiro, to finalise the divorce as soon as possible, whether through mediation or a court order.

Anti-Afrikaans

"It is also untrue that I keep our children away from Joost. He has full and fair contact with them, considering their age."

About Joost's allegation that the children are only exposed to English, Vittone said the allegations that she's anti-Afrikaans, are false.

"I readily speak Afrikaans, I write in Afrikaans and I entertain and sing in Afrikaans. I have many Afrikaans speaking friends. Joost and I spoke a lot of Afrikaans at home. Joost's allegations in this regard are simply false."

Van der Westhuizen declined to comment.