Alison on the road to recovery

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Alison Botha's condition has improved to the extent that she has returned home from the rehabilitation centre. According to her attorney, Tania Koen, she is being monitored constantly because of a tendency for brain bleeding, and she was in hospital last week again for tests.

Botha underwent surgery last year after suffering an aneurysm in September that caused a temporary loss of speech, sight and short-term memory.

She was at first unable to sit up independently, stand or walk, but has improved considerably. Her physiotherapy sessions will continue at home where she is being cared for by her sons and mother.

In her latest Facebook update this month, she writes, "Physiotherapy is not easy - you start off feeling useless and unable to do the simplest of things. Just being able to stand up from a sitting position was a wonderful milestone. The occupational therapist also helped me with upper body strengthening exercises, how to make a cup of coffee, how to get to the toilet, or into a car, etc."

Botha went home before Christmas. She expressed her gratitude for the support, messages and well wishes on social media.

"Thank you - and please don't stop. I appreciate all the love and support so much. I am still needing to go for medical check-ups so please continue prayers that these are all favourable."

In her post Botha promises an update "regarding the news about you know who going back to prison". She says, "That's a whole different update. Let me just get better again first. But boy, is this BIG. Speak soon."

Koen says money is still available in the fund that was started to raise financial support for Botha, who is unable to work. "It is understandable that donations have come to a halt, but we remain unbelievably grateful for the support that makes it possible for Alison to focus on her recovery and rehabilitation. There is fortunately still enough funds available in the account for her rehabilitation and to keep a roof over her head."

Botha had miraculously survived a brutal rape and assault in 1994 by Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger. They were granted parole in 2023 by the previous minister of correctional services after serving the minimum required time of their life sentences, but were sent back to prison on 3 February this year after Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald revoked their parole.

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