Alison Botha Survived the Impossible : Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger are Worms

<p>As always, thank you for hanging out and remembering Alison Botha with me today. <br>In the early hours of December 18, 1994, Alison Botha, a 27-year-old insurance broker, was abducted outside her home in Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha, South Africa. Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger forced her into her own car at knifepoint, drove her to a secluded area near Noordhoek, and subjected her to a prolonged sexual assault.</p><p>Afterward, the men took Botha to an isolated field and attempted to murder her. She was stabbed more than 30 times, often reported as 37 wounds and her throat was cut repeatedly. Believing she had died, the attackers left her there. Despite catastrophic injuries, Botha managed to get to a road and obtain help; her detailed evidence was central to identifying and prosecuting both men.</p><p>Du Toit and Kruger were convicted of kidnapping, rape, attempted murder, and related offenses in the Port Elizabeth High Court in August 1995. Du Toit received three life sentences, while Kruger received life imprisonment plus 25 years. The sentencing judge, Chris Jansen, said their crimes showed “inherent evil” and recommended that neither man be released on parole.</p><p>The two men were released on parole in July 2023 after serving about 28 years, a decision Botha said had occurred without adequate victim consultation. In February 2025, Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald cancelled their parole following legal review and consultation, and both were returned to custody, where the department said they would remain.</p>