Review and revoke the parole of Alison Botha’s rapists
Women For Change demands that Minister Lamola instructs that the parole of Alison Botha’s rapists be reviewed by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board, as the victim’s rights’ were totally disregarded. This is not a victim-centric approach advocated by the Minister and our President.
The gruesome story of the brutal rape of Alison Botha shocked the nation and has continued to gather international and national attention over the past 29 years. In 1994, Alison was abducted, brutally raped, disembowelled, and her throat slashed, nearly decapitated, and left for dead by her attackers Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger in Gqeberha, South Africa. Alison managed to scribble the names of her attackers in the sand before crawling to the edge of the road, where a motorist found her and rushed her to the hospital. She miraculously survived.
In August 1995, Gqeberha High Court Judge Chris Jansen handed Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger life sentences. Current legislation, however, provides that both are entitled to be considered for placement on parole after serving a minimum portion of their sentence.
After 28 years behind bars, on 4 July 2023, Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger were released on parole by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) without following the proper process and with a total disregard for Alison’s rights. While the DCS said the men were released on parole after serving the minimum required time in prison in line with the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998, Alison’s attorney Tania Koen said that is not the only requirement which must be met. Parole is not a right, and DCS must follow proper procedures prescribed by legislation and the DCS directives.
Alison made a victim impact statement and opposed parole. Still, despite her view that the men were not rehabilitated and that they would seek revenge once released, parole was recommended by the parole board, which then failed to notify Alison of their decision.
“The offender must be remorseful, rehabilitated, and the parole board must find they are not a danger to society. The information that I have is that there has been no remorse by these offenders and consequently cannot be said to be rehabilitated,” Tania Koen said. What is very disturbing is that Alison has been re-victimised by the system.
Women For Change is shocked and dismayed that these two men, who callously and brutally attacked Alison, showing no respect for her life or remorse for their actions, are being allowed back into South African society. We believe that parole is a privilege, not a right!
Women For Change calls on the Minister to authorise the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board to review and revoke the parole of Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger to protect Alison, her family and South Africa as a society.
As is evident, sexual violence is rampant within South Africa. Once again, the government and the Department of Correctional Services have shown that they are neither willing to nor capable of protecting the public from violent offenders or following due process.
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