'SHE'S IN SHOCK'

Rape survivor Alison Botha has been devastated by the news that the two men who attacked her and left her for dead have been granted parole

- JANICE BECKETT-MSIZA

THEY should be removed from society for the rest of their lives. Those were the words of the judge who sentenced Alison Botha’s attackers to life imprisonment – and for the young woman there was a measure of relief and comfort knowing they’d be locked away.

But the truth is there has been little peace for Alison over the years. She has had to come to terms with her horrific assault and face the possibility of the men being released – a possibility that’s now become a nightmarish reality.

Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger were sentenced to life imprisonment, but served 28 years before being released on parole on 4 June by the department of correctional services. Tania Koen, Alison’s lawyer, calls it a travesty. “Alison is in a state of shock now,” she tells YOU.

“She told me she isn’t just afraid for herself, but for others as well.” Alison was given little to no warning. “In Frans’ case she was sent an email in June from the department saying he was going on parole. She was given no other information.

“In Theuns’ case, a member of the media contacted her to say he was being released and what was her comment.

“When she told me, I called the department and they said no, he hadn’t been granted parole – he was still there. So I let Alison know, ‘Don’t worry, he didn’t get parole’. And on the same day, the department issued a press release saying he had been granted parole. It was a triple shock for her: first to hear he was out, then to hear he wasn’t, then to hear no, but he actually is.”