Though their freedom was short-lived, the emotional toll it took on Alison Botha as she faced serious health struggles was overwhelming.
However, the news that her rapists have been returned to prison after correctional services minister Pieter Groenewald revoked their parole has since brought her a sense of relief.
“I feel like I can finally breathe again,” she said through her Bay attorney, Tania Koen.
The correctional services ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that Groenewald had cancelled parole for Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger, who were convicted of raping Botha and leaving her for dead in Gqeberha in 1994.
“This decision follows thorough evaluation and consultation of legal opinions,” the statement says.
“This decision was made in accordance with the Correctional Services Act, which empowers the minister to cancel parole for individuals sentenced to life imprisonment.
“The minister’s primary consideration is the imperative of protecting and securing the community, particularly in instances where acts of violence against women and children have been committed.
“Both individuals have been reincarcerated and will remain in custody.”
On the night of December 18 1994, Botha was abducted and gang-raped before her attackers slit her throat, disembowelled her and left her for dead near Noordhoek on Marine Drive.
A passing motorist managed to help save her life.
Chris Jansen, the judge who sentenced Du Toit to three life sentences, and Kruger to one life sentence plus 25 years, said at the time that both men should be removed from society “for the rest of their lives”.
However, in July 2023, after serving 28 years behind bars, the men were released on parole.
Correctional services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo explained at the time that Du Toit and Kruger, having served the minimum required time, had to be considered for parole placement in compliance with the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998.
In October 2024, Botha experienced a major health setback when she suffered a brain aneurysm and had to be admitted to hospital.
And while she managed to overcome the worst, Koen, her lawyer and close friend, said on Tuesday that Botha recently had to go back to hospital due to a small bleed on the brain.
“Her health is still very precarious,” Koen said.
However, she said they were celebrating the news that Du Toit and Kruger were back behind bars.
“This is a huge victory, not only for Alison, but all victims as it sends out a proper message to society.
“Advocate Annade Theart-Hofmeyr and I, as Alison’s legal team, want to express our gratitude and respect to [Groenewald] and his team for making an informed decision after careful consideration of the law.
“It is the right decision and falls within the minister’s powers,” Koen said.
Koen said in her capacity as chief executive of the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation, set up in the slain model’s name, the foundation welcomed the decision, especially as the minister’s primary consideration was protecting the community, particularly where acts of violence against women and children were committed.
She said it was long overdue.
“Alison’s first word to me was that she is ‘relieved’.
“She then said she felt like she can breathe again.
“She has asked me to express her gratitude to the minister and conveyed her thanks to [her legal team].”
After surviving what was described at the time as one of the worst rape cases ever reported in SA, Botha went on to write a book and to give inspirational talks.
The Herald
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