YOU are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.
To survivors of crime and loved ones who’ve suffered the agony of losing someone or knowing they’ve been violated, hearing a judge utter those words is often a beacon of comfort in a sea of suffering.
It means the person who committed the crime will be removed from society, placed in an institution, and everybody affected can try to find a way to rebuild their shattered lives.
But life behind bars doesn’t mean the perpetrator won’t be released one day – and this fact was driven home recently when Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger, the men who brutally raped and attacked Alison Botha in 1994, were granted parole after 28 years.
Shortly afterwards, Norman Afzal Simons, the so-called Station Strangler found guilty of killing Elroy van Rooyen in 1995, was also released on parole.
The decisions to release the men have been met with widespread anger and unhappiness – and in the case of Alison, she wasn’t even aware one of her attackers had been paroled.
So just how does the system work? We ask the experts.
GETTING PAROLE
Many find the concept of parole difficult since it means the person who committed a serious crime is allowed back into society, legal expert Llewelyn Curlewis says.
“The reality is our prisons are overcrowded and it’s costing the taxpayer around R300 a day per prisoner. So it’s in the public’s interest that perpetrators who’ve been rehabilitated are reintegrated into society.”
Esta historia es de la edición 10 August 2023 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición 10 August 2023 de YOU South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
DIDDY'S DISGRACE
A video showing singer Cassie being attacked by Sean Diddy Combs reveals the disturbing reality of their relationship
THE BABY-FACED ASSASSIN
Manchester City’s Phil Foden is fast becoming one of the top talents in the English Premier League
OODLES OF POODLES
Kaz’s latest dog show triumph is the culmination of years as one of the world’s top trainers of the breed
MY LIFE IS PURE HELL
A reader wrote to YOU recounting her harrowing experience of living with a narcissist for decades. Pieter Van Zyl relays her story
THE LOTTO CURSE
Over the years Andy Carter has helped 2 000 lottery winners adapt to life as newly minted millionaires. Here he shares the worst mistakes he’s seen people make and reveals why instead of being a passport to freedom, a jackpot win can actually make things far more complicated
IT'S NOT YOU IT'S ADHD
We ask experts to explain the rise in late diagnosis of the condition in women
BITTER SWEET
Arina was diagnosed with cancer while carrying her miracle baby and made the tough choice to start chemo while pregnant
SHE'S GOT THE POWER
Monica Lewinsky was on suicide watch after the humiliating Bill Clinton scandal, but she has now turned her life around and become a force to be reckoned with
IT'S ALL OVER!
For 26 years she was the Bok coach’s support system on the side lines – travelling with him for work, taking care of the kids and celebrating his world cup victories. Now Rassie and Nicolene have divorced
JUST NO WAY THIS IS GOING TO WORK!
Separate houses, time apart, fundamental differences – fears are mount for Ben and Jen’s marriage