New twists in 'Barbie' saga
2003-01-06 08:33
Cape Town - The "Advocate Barbie" saga has taken new twists with an additional charge of the alleged use of banned substances to drug an under-aged girl, a search for young children appearing in pornographic photos and controversy surrounding Advocate Cezanne Visser's plans of turning state witness.
Visser and her former lover, Advocate Dirk Prinsloo - "they have definitely broken up" - were released on bail towards the end of last year after their arrest in their luxury home.
Provisional charges include references to indecent assault of a 14-year-old girl, attempted murder, possession of dagga and other banned substances and pornographic material.
The public prosecution authority has confirmed that the investigation into Prinsloo and Visser is continuing and treated as a priority case.
"There is no clear cut assurance that Cezanne Visser will appear as a state witness. If she and the police come with a proposal to us, we at the public prosecutor's office will take the final decision," the newspaper Rapport was told.
Among aspects to be considered are the seriousness of her part in the alleged crimes, her willingness to co-operate, and whether the information she divulges assists in convicting another co-accused.
Johannesburg child rights Action for Kids activist members Lindi Temba and Ivan Shaw say they are seriously concerned over the prospect that a person suspected of child abuse could walk off scot free by turning state witness.
"We intend monitoring the case, singling it out for demonstrations and requesting a meeting with the Pretoria prosecution authority.
"On the grounds of our meeting we will decide whether to take it up with the Human Rights Commission," Shaw said.
Temba maintains any person who turns state witness in alleged serious child abuse cases should only be given a lighter sentence if their assistance results in a conviction of another offender.
"We will however, mobilise all parties concerned at the possibility of total indemnity in cases such as this."
The prosecuting authority says the charge sheet could be amended as the investigation continues, mentioning a charge related to the use of a banned substance to drug an under-aged girl, as an example.
A search for unknown children - possibly in the Pretoria area - is related to photographs of them found in police investigations.
Prinsloo and Visser reportedly both appear in the photos. Police appear to have seized various photos of sexual intercourse between adults as well.
A relative of Visser says all of them support her regardless of the outcome. The relative claims Visser has broken up with Prinsloo and is prepared to testify for the prosecution.
The person also says Visser had been too terrified to escape from him, but she is now free of him.
"It is finally over between them. She is more relaxed and is unwinding at her mother's (Susan Visser) home."
Ahead of her arrest Visser assumed the surname Prinsloo and practised as advocate under the name Cezanne Prinsloo. She has resumed her maiden name, Visser.
Although she and Prinsloo were living together, in an interview with the then kykNet chat show, Voorblad, she indicated to Ferdinand Rabie that marriage was a possibility.