GEORGE NEWS - Alison Botha has returned to the rehabilitation facility after a setback and a second stint in hospital in middle November. According to her attorney, Tania Koen, she is showing some progress and can even move around a little with the help of a walking ring.
Botha had an aneurysm on 25 September and has since 29 October been recovering in the rehabilitation centre.
"Although the left side of her body is still a problem, she is able to take small steps while holding onto a bar and with her therapist's assistance, an exercise that forms part of her rehabilitation programme," said Koen.
In the meantime, News24 has reported that new Correctional Services Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald has stated that he would want to intervene in the parole of Botha's attackers, Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger, who in 1997 had viciously raped and assaulted her, and had left her for dead on the crime scene in Gqeberha. They were released on parole last year after serving the minimum period of their life sentences.
Koen told George Herald that her legal team had to bring a court application to obtain the convicts' profiles and documentation pertaining to their parole. Once they had obtained these, they were able to file an application for review to Groenewald. The minister of Correctional Services is the only authority that may approve or reject parole for a prisoner with a life sentence.
Koen, who is the CEO of the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation (RRSF), said they are questioning whether the two convicts have indeed been rehabilitated and whether they are still a threat to the community.
"We also maintain that due process was not followed. Although Alison was registered as an affected party in the parole process, she was not taken into account when the parole decision was made."
Last year in July when parole was granted by Groenewald's predecessor, Ronald Lamola, Botha had received an e-mail from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) shortly before Du Toit's release to inform her of the decision. She only became aware of Kruger's parole through the media.
Koen said the RRSF would welcome stronger action against rapists and abusers of women.
Taking small assisted steps. Alison Botha is making progress.
According to an October statement by Groenewald's office, he had successfully processed a backlog of lifer parole applications well ahead of the deadline.
He had concluded 599 cases, which included 104 new cases and a backlog of 495 he had inherited. He has approved 23 parole applications and granted one case of day parole. "Three individuals serving life sentences have been granted parole and are subject to deportation, two of whom are citizens of Mozambique and one of whom is a citizen of Zimbabwe," the statement said.
George Herald has approached his liaison officer, Euné Oelofsen, for comment and is awaiting a response.
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