Victims oppose parole for Hewitt
The idea that convicted rapist Bob Hewitt could be granted parole is horrendous – especially in view of the gravity of child rape in South Africa, a lawyer for the former tennis star’s victims said on Monday.
Speaking in the wake of news that Hewitt had applied for parole, lawyer Peter van Niekerk said he would be filing representations against the parole bid on behalf of the victims as well as anti-abuse organisations the Teddy Bear Foundation and Woman and Men Against Child Abuse.
Van Niekerk said the victims had received notice – some time last week – that Hewitt, 78, had applied for parole.
His clients had approached him to represent them.
“It goes without saying that he was convicted of horrendous crimes. He raped two 12year-olds,” Van Niekerk said.
“What made it worse was that he was in a position of power and trust.
“He has served a minute part of his sentence.
“Given the terrible rapes of children in this country, it would be horrendous that a rapist of children could possibly get out of jail prematurely.”
He said that while the victims had received notice of Hewitt’s application, they had not yet been told when the parole hearing would take place.
“It is all a bit early for that, but I will be preparing representations and attend the parole board hearing [when a date is set].”
Neither he nor Hewitt’s victims had seen a copy of the parole application.
Hewitt, once a major name on the international professional tennis circuit, was convicted in March 2015 of raping two young tennis pupils and sexually assaulting a third in the 1980s and 1990s.
Hewitt, who before his conviction lived in Addo, was sentenced to six years in jail but was only jailed in September 2016 after his unsuccessful Constitutional Court appeal.
He was expelled from the International Tennis Hall of Fame in April 2016.
Australian-born Hewitt retired to Addo after an illustrious tennis career, which saw him claiming several major titles, followed by a long stint as coach and commentator.
As a doubles tennis player, Hewitt beat teams led by the likes of Arthur Ashe, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.
He won all the Grand Slam doubles titles – both the men’s and the mixed doubles.