Barbie 'is a goddess'
2002-12-24 16:06
Pretoria - Pretoria advocate Dirk Prinsloo on Tuesday professed his undying love for common-law wife and colleague Cèzanne Visser, despite indications that she might testify against him in a case involving alleged indecent assault.
"I do still love her a lot... maybe that is an understatement," Prinsloo told reporters outside the Pretoria Regional Court, where he and Visser were earlier freed on R4 000 bail each.
"There is no woman like Cèzanne. She is a goddess."
Prinsloo claimed she was psychologically tortured by the police, who refused her visits from family members and friends while holding her in a police cell after the couple's arrest on Thursday last week.
"She was even prevented from getting sunlight, the most basic requirement for proper detention."
He described her as a "delicate lady", not used to rough treatment.
For this reason, an emotional Prinsloo said, he could not blame Visser for giving in and considering becoming a State witness.
"I wish her the best, and I know she will become herself again soon."
In a written statement handed in at court, Prinsloo said any admissions Visser may have made were the result of indoctrination by the police and her parents.
Prinsloo is also charged with attempted murder.
Police are also investigating charges of possession of pornographic material and dagga.
In a statement to the court on Tuesday morning, Visser said she was considering becoming a State witness. She was given R4 000 bail on the condition that she has no contact with Prinsloo or any of the witnesses, and that she hands in her passport.
In his statement handed up during a separate court appearance, Prinsloo professed his innocence on all charges, saying he never indecently assaulted anyone.
'Coerced into laying charges'
He claimed one of the complainants had been coerced into laying charges by a former client of his. This former client bragged as much to him, Prinsloo's statement says.
The charge of attempted murder, he contended, relates to a trespasser he shot in self defence at his house in April last year. Prinsloo and Visser live on a smallholding in Raslouw, Centurion.
The alleged intruder was paralysed.
Regarding contravention of the Publications Act, Prinsloo said he had handled several child protection cases as an advocate, which resulted in him coming into possession of certain pornography.
He was competent to handle such material as part of his job. "The same with narcotics."
If he was not freed on bail, Prinsloo contended, his practice would collapse and he would not be able to meet his financial commitments.
These included a debt of about R1 million on a R2.4 million house.
He also said he had a brother, domestic worker and gardener who were dependent on him.
"I also have dogs, swans and ducks which I love very much, and which will perish in my absence," he says in the statement.
Investigating officer Captain Carel Cornelius opposed bail.
On the attempted murder charge, he told the court the alleged intruder claimed to have had no sinister motive, and said police had a statement from Prinsloo's gardener stating the man was there to visit him.
Addressing reporters afterwards, he described his arrest as unlawful, and claimed he and Visser were the victims of a defamatory campaign by the media.
He vowed they would continue their fight for justice, stating: "Many great leaders have been incarcerated before."
The timing of the arrests, Prinsloo continued, was clearly aimed at "harassing, embarrassing and destroying me to get rid of the headache the government has had to deal with for years".
He claimed he had become a "thorn in the side" of the government with his "relentless pursuit" of defending the rights of the downtrodden - including illegal aliens.
"Good advocates and attorneys always make waves," Prinsloo said. "I will continue to do my duty. I would not be able to live with myself if I reneged my duty to pursue justice."
The couple are to appear in court again on February 10.
- SAPA