Woman to sue for prostitute rap

2007-04-17 21:31

Port Elizabeth - A housewife who was arrested for "loitering with the intent to commit prostitution" is to seek compensation in the city's High Court next week.

The Herald Online reported on Tuesday that the claim of Luarika Louise Vermeulen, 23, against Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula could amount to R600 000.

Vermeulen of Hall Place in Young Park, Port Elizabeth, claims in affidavits the arrest took place at 11:30 on May 13 last year.

She said was waiting on a pavement in Govan Mbeki Avenue close to the Red Lion Hotel for her husband to call some friends inside the hotel.

Kept her in cells

Constables Mthetho Moses Bodlani and Princess Nobubele Mtshutshwana arrested her without a warrant and assaulted her, she said.

Vermeulen said they threw her in the back of a police van and kept her in the Mount Road police cells until 04:00 the next morning.

She was later charged in terms of a street ordinance which the police claim was to prevent her from committing the offence of loitering with the intent to commit prostitution.

Vermeulen claims the charges, which were later withdrawn, were false.

She said she had to undergo medical and psychological treatment after the incident.

She claims R300 000 for future medical expenses, shock and trauma related to the arrest, R200 000 for medical expenses, pain and trauma related to assault, and R100 000 for the trauma and humiliation of facing prostitution charges.

In responding affidavits, the minister claims her arrest "and the conduct of his officers" was lawful because it prevented Vermeulen from committing prostitution.

- SAPA