'I always knew I was innocent'

2005-05-22 12:11

Cape Town - After being wrongly accused and spending 10 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, a relieved Petrus Liebenberg was released on Friday, reported Sunday newspaper Rapport.

"I always knew I was innocent. My biggest dream has come true. Now I just want to get on with my life and stay out of jail," an emotional Liebenberg said of the 10 years he wrongly spent in jail as a robber and rapist.

Rapport said that Liebenberg was convicted for the rape and robbery of a 47-year-old Tulbagh woman in 1995 and sentenced to 10 years by the Paarl regional court.

He was informed by an official on Thursday that his nightmare experience was over, while playing rugby for the Pollsmoor prisoners team.

"I expected that I would shortly receive good news," he said on Saturday, "but when it finally came, it felt as if someone threw cold water in my face."

The department of correctional services (DCS) finally dropped him off in front of his aunt and uncle's house in Eersterivier on Friday.

Inspiration

Liebenberg's eyes welled up with tears as he mentioned his niece Melwena, 9, and the inspiration she provided to him while he was in jail.

"My sister died and I knew I had to be freed so I could look after her child. Now I can," he said.

Urgent plans for his release were made in the past week when three appeal judges finally heard the appeal against his conviction after several administrative blunders and delays. This was almost 10 years after he was sentenced on September 22 1995.

Liebenberg's nightmare began in 1995 when he was taken into custody because he vaguely fitted the description of a suspect. According to him, he had spent the whole evening of the alleged crime with then girlfriend, Ann Jamath.

"My girlfriend was placed under a lot of pressure in court and her words were distorted. On the night in question I was wearing cream coloured pants and white running shoes, and the crime scene was muddy. My clothes were clean," said Liebenberg.

At the time Liebenberg insisted that the district surgeon take blood and saliva samples but these were never used as evidence in court.

But all the bad advice, administrative red-tape and other blunders never steered Liebenberg off course. For 10 years he continually wrote letters and tried to get help.

"In jail I realised I can't feel sorry for myself, it would put too much pressure on me. I firmly believed in our justice system and that I had enough proof to be freed," he said.

After hearing the arguments, appeal judges I Fralam, B Jafta and D Mlambo took the unusual step in the past week of immediately giving their findings and instructing that Liebenberg be released immediately.

If Liebenberg had completed the DCS rehabilitation course for sexual offences he could have been released on parole a few years ago.

However, he refused to betray himself and get out of jail by admitting to a crime he did not commit.

- SAPA