Love turns sour in text messages
WhatsApp communication reveals how liaison turned into taxing affair for high-flyers
THESE are some of the intimate WhatsApp messages exchanged between Johann van Loggerenberg, South Africa’s top tax law enforcer, and Pretoria-based lawyer Belinda Walter before their affair ended in bitter recriminations that have rocked SARS. The sensational claims emerging in the fallout appear to have sparked inquiries from the Hawks crime-fighting unit, state intelligence and police.
MAY 21 2014:
9:35:22pm: Belinda Walter: I’m worried about you. Are you OK?
9:46:00pm: Belinda Walter: Why do you send me messages that make me worry so much about you and then neither answer me when I respond, not take my calls 9:46:02pm: Belinda Walter: ? 10:00:28pm: Johann vL: Hi. Sorry at office. Leaving now. Im okay.
10:00:44pm: Belinda Walter: Wtf???
10:00:58pm: Belinda Walter: Why can’t you answer your phone?
10:01:35pm: Johann vL: It was on silent. I was with Malema’s attorney.
10:08:24pm: Belinda Walter: I was worried you committed suicide. And all the while . . . You think I’m that stupid
10:09:07pm: Johann vL: Stop please.
10:09:52 pm: Johann vL: I don’t want to talk now. I just arrived at home. I am busy with a matter that is weighing heavily on me and which you wont understand.
10:11:09pm: Belinda Walter: I don’t believe your rubbish any longer. Give me that whole sad story about how pointless your life is and then this shit
10:13:30pm: Johann vL: You can believe what you want.
10:16:08pm: Belinda Walter: And for the record — I have not missed you. I have enjoyed being happy and being me again. I am not this dark cloud here that is you. I am liked, treated with respect and kindness by strangers. It’s the exact opposite of how you treat me. I believe that attorneys do not meet clandestinely at 10pm. Were you trying to sidle into Siobhan or some other employee’s good books again?
10:18:42 pm: Johann vL: Actually no. I met with him because they are trying to settle before the weekend because his sequestration hearing is on Monday. And he was in Cape Town today for swearing in of MPs and only landed late tonight in Jhb. Im glad you are honest for once though. Now please stop. Im busy.
May 22 2014
7:55:12am: Belinda Walter: I really do not believe your story last night. I don’t understand why all the lies? If Malema has an attorney and SARS is represented by nelia etc. Why would you meet directly with attorney at all hours of the night? It’s unethical and improper
7:59:58am: Johann vL: Please leave me alone. I am not interested in what you have to say and I have nothing to say to you. I am busy.
8:08:58am: Johann vL: And since I am asking nicely please don’t form opinions or views of the ethics and propriety of what I do at work when you know nothing about it. The same goes for rumour-mongering about me and any other person associated with me. Keep it to yourself or among those who have nothing better to do but make up bullshit stories. I couldn’t care less about nonsense cooked up by people who have their own agendas.
8:30:33am: Belinda Walter: There is no rumour mongering. You flatter yourself. I cannot and have no intention of controlling what people say about you — particularly your ex-friends/girlfriends. I don’t have the time or energy for that. Don’t attack me because I told you what decent people said with no agendas and not even knowing I know you. You may wish to try having the same alleged integrity in your personal life instead of putting someone who loves you on a roller coaster and lying to me. I know you thing you are a Demi-god but I am also busy. I haven’t slept for 2 nights.
May 26 2014
9:30:21pm: Belinda Walter: I heard the radio on Julius apologising and admitting
9:30:32pm: Johann vL: Yup
9:30:33pm: Belinda Walter: It was a powerful message for SARS.
9:30:55pm: Johann vL: Let’s see how things go.
9:31:02pm: Belinda Walter: It also made him look decent — sadly as repentant and wanting to follow rule of law
9:31:04pm: Johann vL: Some people not happy at all.
9:31:31pm: Belinda Walter: Yes. Those people should look at their own tax affairs and stealing our money for fire pools, etc.
9:31:37pm: Belinda Walter: You did the right thing.
9:31:41pm: Belinda Walter: You know you did.
9:31:45 pm: Johann vL: Lets see.
9:31:48 pm: Belinda Walter: Screw the rest.
9:31:49 pm: Johann vL: Time will tell.