Overview
- Botha was abducted in Port Elizabeth in December 1994, brutally assaulted and left for dead, yet she survived through quick thinking and determination.
- She identified her attackers by recalling their names and etching “Frans” and “Theuns” in the sand before a passing motorist, veterinarian Tiaan Eilerd, rendered crucial first aid.
- Frans du Toit and Theuns Krugeras were arrested and sentenced to life in prison in 1995, with reports noting du Toit was a repeat offender who was out on bail at the time.
- Parole granted to both men in 2023 prompted a national outcry in South Africa, after which authorities re-arrested them and rescinded the parole in what was reported as a first for the country.
- Botha has shared her experience through a memoir and a film, saying she hopes her story gives others hope and the courage to overcome hardship.