PE rape survivor Alison Botha suffers new life-threatening setback

South Africans were shocked to learn that Allison Botha is once again fighting for her life after suffering a brain aneurysm just two weeks ago.

Many people rallied behind Botha to help her in times of need, and a fund has since been set up in her name.

According to online reports, Botha has no medical assistance and is unable to earn an income at this time.

Botha’s legal representative, Tania Koen, says her condition is very serious and that, if she is discharged, her life will never be the same.

She says Botha would initially need 24-hour care.

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A trust in her name has been established to help with the considerable costs she is expected to face.

Donations can be made to Nedbank trust account no. 1302230492. For international donations, please include the SWIFT code NEDSZAJJ.

Speaking to Dr Tiaan Eilerd, who came to Botha’s aid after his attack in 1994, Maroela Media reported that Botha was rushed to a state hospital in George on September 25 after her aneurysm burst.

“She suffered a relatively large brain haemorrhage for three days before being transferred to a neurological unit at a hospital in Cape Town,” Eilerd said.

At this hospital, she underwent surgery to stop the bleeding.

Eilerd, who now lives in Pretoria, visited Botha in hospital. However, it was difficult for him to see Botha, who is now a close friend, in that condition.

“You know, it hit me hard. This time is much worse than the last time (when she was attacked). It’s not just because we’re older. The big problem is that when the brain is involved, it gets difficult.

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“Back then, at least she could use her arms and blink her eyes. Those are things she can’t do now.”

Eilerd said that although Botha had difficulty speaking, she tried to say his name while he was there. He believes she will need a lot of help once she is discharged.

Alison Botha’s story

In 1994, Alison Botha was kidnapped, gang-raped and brutally attacked by Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.

During the attack, Du Toit and Kruger slithered Botha’s throat and disemboweled her, leaving her for dead on Schoenmakerskop, a remote beach on the outskirts of Gqeberha.

Miraculously, Botha survived the horrific attack and has since become a beacon of hope and resilience after being one of the first publicly identified rape survivors in South Africa.

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Botha helped erase the stigma around rape, empowering women around the world to speak out.

Her story was later turned into a best-selling book, ‘I Have Life – Alison’s Journey’, which has sold over 95,000 copies and has had multiple reprints to reach millions of people around the world.

Her story was also made into an award-winning 2016 documentary titled ‘Alison’, directed by Uga Carlini.

According to Daily Maverick, Du Toit received three life sentences and Kruger received a life sentence plus 25 years after the attack on Botha.

After the sentencing, Chris Jansen, the judge who initially sentenced them, said the two men should be removed from society “for the rest of their lives.”

“I was at the place where she was attacked. She crawled naked down a dirt road to the asphalt, where she lay down, and then two cars stopped near her. the second helped her.”

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Daily Maverick reports that during their arrest, the two men buttered their bread with the knife they used to disembowel Alison and planned to kidnap and murder another victim later that day.

Parole for their attackers

In July 2023, Du Toit and Kruger were released on parole after serving just 30 years in prison.

Botha actively fought all their attempts to be released from prison, but unfortunately, they were eventually released on parole.

Tania Koen told News24 that Alison felt “disappointed and terrified” by the release of her attackers.

Many believe that the stress of his release may have led to his deteriorating health and brain aneurysm.

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