Women For Change Welcomes the Cancellation of Parole for Alison Botha’s Attackers
Women For Change acknowledges and welcomes the decision by the Minister of Correctional Services, Dr. Pieter Groenewald, to cancel the parole of Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger, the convicted rapists and attackers of Alison Botha. This decision, made after a thorough evaluation, aligns with the Correctional Services Act, which empowers the Minister to revoke parole for individuals sentenced to life imprisonment.
A media statement released by the Ministry of Correctional Services on 4 February 2025 confirmed that both perpetrators have been reincarcerated and will remain in custody following legal consultations.
While we welcome this decision, we demand that Minister Pieter Groenewald instruct the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board to review the flawed parole process that led to the release of these violent offenders in the first place.
The rights of Alison Botha were completely disregarded, which contradicts the victim-centric approach outlined in the National Strategic Plan on GBVF. The initial release of these men on parole on 4 July 2023 was a blatant violation of Alison’s rights as a survivor, showing a complete failure by the Department of Correctional Services. Alison’s attorney, Tania Koen, expressed the significance of this moment, stating:
“Today is a huge victory, not only for Alison but for all victims, as it sends a strong message to society. Alison’s first words to me were that she is ‘relieved’ and feels like she can breathe again. She has asked me to express her gratitude to the Minister for prioritizing the safety of the community.”
The Brutal Attack on Alison Botha
The attack on Alison Botha in 1994 shocked the nation and continues to receive international attention. Alison was abducted, brutally raped, disembowelled, and nearly decapitated by Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger in Summerstrand, Gqeberha. Despite her horrific injuries, she miraculously survived and identified her attackers.
In 1995, both perpetrators were sentenced to life imprisonment. However, they were granted parole in July 2023, despite Alison’s strong opposition in her victim impact statement, where she expressed fears for her safety and that of others. The parole board not only ignored her concerns but also failed to notify her of their decision, violating her rights as a victim and survivor.
Women For Change, alongside thousands of concerned individuals, opposed the release of these two men by launching a petition in 2023. We called on Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola to review and revoke their parole to protect Alison, her family, and South African society. The petition gathered 4,531 signatures, showing overwhelming public demand to keep these dangerous criminals behind bars.
Yet, it took two more years, another Minister, and relentless public pressure to finally reverse this decision. We demand full accountability from the Department of Correctional Services for their failure to follow proper parole procedures. We also call for legislative changes to ensure that victims’ rights are always prioritized in parole decisions.
Sign our Petition to Declare GBVF a National Disaster
Women For Change is calling on all South Africans to sign our petition, urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) a national femicide emergency. The justice system continues to fail survivors by allowing violent offenders back into society.
Enough is enough! SIGN OUR PETITION HERE.