Former police clerk Belinda Petersen “felt proud” to have former Western Cape police chief Lennit Max as her legal representative at a disciplinary hearing, the Malmesbury Regional Court heard on Wednesday.
However, when the witnesses for the hearing did not turn up, causing the hearing to be postponed, Max told Petersen it was time for her “second payment in kind”, and they drove to a hotel for sex.
Petersen told the court that Max gave her R300 with which she had to book a room, and he met her in the room soon afterwards.
This happened in August 2007, she said.
Petersen, who lost her job due to dereliction of duty, is charged with attempting to intimidate Max.
Senior State advocate Christenus van der Vijver alleges that she threatened to “run to the media” about their sexual escapades unless Max used his influence as a politician to find her a job in his provincial department.
Max is a qualified advocate and from time to time represents police officials at internal inquiries.
Petersen said she agreed to his suggestion that she “pay him in kind” with sexual favours for consultations and for his appearances for her at her own disciplinary inquiry.
The incident in the hotel room was their second sexual encounter, she said.
She said Max had telephoned her the day before her hearing, to say he wanted his “second payment”.
The first had been at his home.
On their arrival at the hearing venue, senior officers involved had “quivered” at Max's presence, and she had felt proud to have him on her side, she told the court.
However, the proceedings were postponed and Max then said to her: “We can now go for payment”.
After they had sex in the hotel room, Max left the hotel first, and she met him outside.
In September that year, Max telephoned her to come to his office in the provincial administration building to fetch documents.
She told the court: “As I walked into his office, he grabbed me, lifted up my dress and pushed his hand into my panties.”
She said she tried to push his hand way, but he did it again.
“I said are you mad, take your hand away, what's wrong with you?”
Max said he was “hungry for her”, and as he tried again, a cleaner unexpectedly walked into the office.
Max pretended that nothing had happened.
Petersen said the cleaner apologised for her intrusion, and she (Petersen) told Max she was leaving.
Petersen added: “He said he wanted another payment, but I did not want it in his office, and said I was leaving.”
The case continues on Thursday. - Sapa