Bridges stands by her man

2003-05-04 21:49

Marlene Malan

Cape Town - Singer Sunette Bridges said on Sunday she firmly supports her fiancé and music promoter, Louis van Wyk, despite a flood of sexual harassment allegations against him.

She sys she has been involved with Van Wyk for three years and they are both "shocked and saddened" by the "nonsense" published in a Sunday newspaper.

The report quoted several women who alleged that they had been the victims of Van Wyk's "wandering hands". Only one of the women - Liezl Botha who has filed a civil action against Van Wyk - was named in the report.

The others wanted to remain anonymous to protect their reputations.

Van Wyk obtained an interdict against Botha in the Pretoria High Court on Friday to stop her from disclosing further details of the legal action against him.

Botha said she had to inform her parents of her civil action against Van Wyk on Sunday to prevent them from learning about it in the paper.

Attempts to 'discredit' Van Wyk

Bridges retaliated on Sunday and said she and Van Wyk were aware that someone was trying to discredit him.

"We do not want to become involved in mudslinging in the newspapers. There are hundreds of things we can say, but have decided to keep quiet.

"We are parents and want to protect our children."

Bridges confirmed that Botha worked as an au pair for Van Wyk previously.

"She once sent us an enormous account for looking after the children for two days and we decided not to make use of her services again.

"She then challenged Louis before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), but failed to appear for the hearing."

"Now she comes up with this rubbish. Suddenly, a whole host of women appear out of nowhere to make these allegations. Louis will definitely oppose this."

She said the 23-year-old student was suing Van Wyk for "an enormous amount of money".

Van Wyk's legal representative, Brandon Roode, said they saw the newspaper report as defamation and planed to expose the individuals behind the "smear campaign".

- Die Burger