Joost vs Amor: Audio forensic expert explains if shocking audio clip is real

On Monday, an audio clip of an argument between Springbok legend Joost van der Westhuizen and ex-wife Amor Vittone sent shockwaves through South African social media. The audio clip alledgedly heard Amor tearing into Joost with horrible insults and calling him out for not being able to do anything for himself. Joost was unable to respond properly due to his medical condition.

Listen: ‘You’re in a wheelchair little boy!’ Amor vs Joost got incredibly dark 

After a non-denial from Amor’s lawyer, YOU magazine got hold of a forensic audio expert, Dr Len Jansen, to analyse the authenticity of the recordings.

Dr Jansen reveals that the audio is infact not from a telephonic conversation but a face to face exchange. Jansen told YOU that the sentences in the recordings are authentic, “”You can’t build such sentences from separate words.”

He explained that although it is possible that the sound recordings were taken from different recordings, each part consists of a direct sound byte that was recorded in the same way.

Dr Jansen could, however, not confirm if the voices were Amor or Joost’s. Amor’s lawyer said that they would need to hear the full unedited recording before they make a specific statement on the accuracy.

 “We have not received the original unedited version of the telephonic conversation and as such we cannot make any statement at this stage, as far the accuracy of the recording is concerned and we need to listen to the full unedited original recording before we can make any specific statement in this regard.”

He added: “It is clear from the videoclip in which the conversation is concluded, that it is not the full conversation and not the original conversation, as the clip was edited and therefore the contents thereof must be examined.”

So, no denial but also not as clear cut as one would hope for. This saga looks set to ramble on a little longer.