PE rape survivor Alison Botha suffers new life-threatening setback
Alison Botha, who survived a vicious attack in Gqeberha in 1994, is now facing another life-threatening medical setback.
South Africans were shocked to learn that Allison Botha is yet again fighting for her life after she suffered a brain aneurysm just two weeks ago.
Many people have rallied behind Botha to assist her in her time of need, and a trust has since been set up in her name.
According to online reports, Botha has no medical aid and is unable to earn an income at this time.
Botha's legal representative, Tania Koen, says her medical condition is very serious, and if she gets discharged, her life will never be the same again.
She says Botha would initially require 24-hour care.
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A trust in her name has been established to assist with the considerable costs she is set to face.
Donations can be made to Nedbank Trust Account No 1302230492. For international donations, include SWIFT code NEDSZAJJ.
Speaking to Dr Tiaan Eilerd, who came to Botha's aid after her attack in 1994, Maroela Media reported that Botha was rushed to a state hospital in George on September 25 after the aneurysm burst.
"She lay with a relatively large brain haemorrhage for three days before being transferred to a neuro unit in 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 the 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 previous time [when she was attacked]. It's not just because we're older. The big issue is, when the brain is involved, it becomes 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 struggles to speak, she tried to say his name while he was there. He believes she will need a lot of help when she is discharged.
Her home will need to be adapted to make it user-friendly for her. A caregiver will also need to be appointed, and she will have to undergo occupational, speech, and physiotherapy. It will take two to three weeks to fully understand how severe the damage is, but there is no way she will function normally again.
Alison Botha's story
In 1994, Alison Botha was abducted, 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 slit Botha's throat and disembowelled her, leaving her for dead on Schoenmakerskop, a remote beach outside Gqeberha.
Miraculously, Botha survived the horrific attack and has since become a beacon of hope and resilience after being one of the first rape survivors to publicly identify herself in South Africa.
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Botha helped to erase the stigma around rape, empowering women worldwide to speak out.
Her story was later turned into a best-selling book, 'I Have Life – Alison's Journey', which sold more than 95,000 copies and went into several reprints to reach millions across the globe.
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 one life sentence plus 25 years after their attack on Botha.
After their sentence, Chris Jansen, the judge who initially sentenced them, stated that both men should be removed from society "for the rest of their lives".
"I was at the scene where she was assaulted. She crawled naked on a dirt road to the tarmac, where she lay down, and then two cars stopped by her. The first driver just looked at her like that and then drove off, and the second one helped her."
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Daily Maverick reports that during their arrest, the two men were buttering bread with the knife they had used to disembowel Alison and were planning to abduct and murder another victim later that day.
Parole for her attackers
In July 2023, Du Toit and Kruger were freed on parole after serving just 30 years in prison.
Botha actively fought every one of their attempts to be set free from prison, but unfortunately, they were eventually freed on parole.
Tania Koen told News24 that Alison had felt “disillusioned and terrified” at the release of her attackers.
Many believe the stress of their release could have led to her deteriorating health and brain aneurysm.
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