A Pretoria woman has instituted a R1,5-million damages claim against a member of her church who allegedly kicked her several times between the legs in "a bid to convert her to being a heterosexual" as it was "ungodly" to be gay.
Cecilia (Liana) Munnik, 31, of Garsfontein stated in papers filed at the Pretoria High Court that not only was she severely injured, but her feelings were also hurt by the May 2007 incident. At the time Munnik was attending the 74th birthday party of a friend's father, who lived on the same Elarduspark property as Margaret and Gerhard de Beer. The couple now live in Potgietersrus.
Munnik and her friends parked their vehicle in front of the De Beers' home. A scuffle ensued when Mrs De Beer apparently wanted to get her car out of the garage and Munnik and her friends had to move their car.
It is claimed Mrs De Beer told Munnik that she, as a gay woman, would "go straight to hell" and that she was an insult to Christianity.
Others claims include that the woman kicked Munnik between the legs in a bid to "convert" her. Munnik stated in papers that Mrs de Beer continuously kicked her, so much so that she lost consciousness.
The assault took place in full view of other people, she said.
While she was being assaulted and badmouthed, Mr de Beer did nothing to stop his wife.
To make matters worse, he allegedly stopped one of Munnik's friends when she tried to intervene.
Munnik stated that Mr de Beer in fact pinned down her friend with his knee on her chin in a bid to stop her from intervening.
Munnik was treated at the Pretoria East Hospital and could not work for two weeks. She said she suffered serious emotional trauma and was subjected to humiliating medical examinations.
She is claiming R1-million for pain and suffering and medical expenses. A further R500 000 is claimed for her hurt feelings when Mrs De Beer allegedly made defamatory statements regarding her and gay people.
While both parties are members of the Hatfield Christian Church, they do not know each other.
Munnik said Mrs De Beer, however, knew that she was gay and her comments boiled down to "hate speech" regarding gay people. Munnik also felt that the woman insinuated that a person could not be gay and a Christian.
Mr de Beer told the Pretoria News on Sunday that Munnik's claims were "99 percent lies". He and his wife will consult their lawyer on Monday with the aim of fighting the claim, he said.
Lesbian 'was kicked in groin' to convert her
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Originally Posted by Otumeel
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