Amor gave Joost a second chance

2010-08-25 08:31

Thinus Ferreira, Die Burger

Cape Town - Amor Vittone says after her husband, Joost van der Westhuizen, cheated on her, she gave him a second chance and they set boundaries for their relationship.

"And when those were broken again... you just get to a point where you say: 'That's it.'"

This is what she has to say in an interview which will be broadcast on SABC3 on Wednesday night.

This is her first TV interview since the breakdown of her marriage to Van der Westhuizen. She talks openly about his infidelity, the sex tape and the secrets which killed their marriage.

Blackmail

Vittone says she and Van der Westhuizen were blackmailed for two-and-a-half years and paid a bribe out of fear for their children.

"It was, of course, a result of the (sex) tape, and I knew nothing about it."

On Wednesday night viewers will see a different Vittone to the woman who talked to Kwêla about her difficult marriage with tears brimming in her eyes exactly a year ago.

It is a stronger, straightforward and far more confident woman who will be chatting to Basetsana Kumalo and Michelle Garforth-Venter on No Reservations at 20:00.

Vittone doesn't hold back at all, nor does she become emotional about everything she's gone through over the past two years. The interview was recorded last week.

Second chance

In the interview, Vittone is painfully honest about the sex video and the accompanying controversy, saying she stood by Van der Westhuizen because she believes everyone deserves a second chance.

She relates how she tried to rebuild her marriage and gives her opinion on whether a marriage can survive infidelity.

"I stood by him. I believe people always deserve a second chance, since none of us are perfect. I can't stand here and say 'I'm so fantastic and you did this and that', because you can't distinguish between big sins and little sins."

Regarding Van der Westhuizen, she says: "I still love him. He is the father of my children and we had good times together."

Meanwhile, Joost and Amor's lawyers are negotiating a settlement in order to finalise their divorce, Gloria Edwards reports.

Robert Klinkenberg, Van der Westhuizen's lawyer, said the protection order Amor obtained against Joost is being negotiated along with the settlement. This comes after Vittone refused to withdraw the order.

Claudio Bollo, Vittone's lawyer, said no agreement has been reached yet.