Free Ashley Oosthuizen: the first hug in six years

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The last time she could hug and physically touch her daughter was nearly six years ago. But on Friday 24 January, Lynn Blignaut and her daughter Ashley Oosthuizen (25) were granted a two-hour contact visit by the Thailand prison where Ashley is kept.

Ashley, from George, is serving a 33-year prison sentence in Thailand for alleged drug trafficking.

She moved to Thailand in 2018 and visited South Africa for two weeks in 2019 - that was the last time her mother had any physical contact with her.

"I ran to her, hugged her, and jumped up onto her like a child does with their mother, wrapping my legs around her waist. We hugged a lot and didn't want to let go of each other," Lynn recalls about her recent visit.

This emotional reunion took place during a prison visit arranged by the authorities, where prisoners and their visitors could spend time together without any barriers between them. 100 prisoners were waiting for their families to visit them. Before Covid, contact visits were allowed once a year, but this was also only reserved for certain prisoners. Friday was the second time since then that contact visits were allowed.

Visit a close second

"The first time we didn't qualify, but by the grace of God, this time we did! Yes, her release would be first prize, but this is a close second. This was the first time we could see each other without any barriers between us.

"Usually, there's a Perspex divider between us and we talk over the phone for 15 to 20 minutes. She in one room and I in another," says Lynn, who relocated to Thailand in 2023.

Ashley was arrested in October 2020 at a restaurant where she worked. She had signed for a package containing drugs, but maintains that she was unaware of its contents. The package was addressed to someone else, and she had merely signed for it. Initially sentenced to life imprisonment, her sentence was reduced to 33 years in 2022. She has since appealed her conviction.

Pizza and a two-hour visit

Lynn says she had to be at the prison two hours before the visit on Friday. After she was allowed inside, they spent two hours together from 13:00 until 15:00. "During the visit, we were also allowed to exchange money for coupons for purchases inside the prison. I gave Ashley the coupons and she bought two pizzas and some chips - things they don't normally get at the prison shop," says Lynn.

Lynn says Ashley introduced her to the prison officials and her friends. "Everybody was happy to meet me. Her [Ashley's] Thai is excellent! For some strange reason, she didn't even blink an eye when I started speaking Thai.

"It's probably because she is so used to it by now. She's struggling to remember some Afrikaans words, but my Thai is getting better, so mostly I understand what she's talking about."

Photos as keepsakes

Lynn says they were also allowed to take photos of their reunion and Ashley could keep some for herself.

"It was amazing to see her. It didn't feel like it had been so long since we last saw each other.

"We just picked up where we left off. It was like a time-lapse," says Lynn. The visit however did take its toll and for the rest of the afternoon Lynn says she just wanted to "lie on my bed and veg".

They are still awaiting news regarding Ashley's appeal. In 2023, she was informed that her case would be heard in Thailand's High Court, but a date has yet to be confirmed.

Follow the Facebook page 'A voice for Ashley Oosthuizen' for updates from Lynn.

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