KNYSNA NEWS - The notorious convicted violent criminal and sex offender Francois Coetzee (41) of Knysna is back behind bars, but only until September, when the Department of Correctional Services will open the jail doors for this controversial criminal to roam Knysna as a free man.
Coetzee, who had been sentenced to 21 years and 6 months behind bars after being found guilty of attempted rape, housebreaking with intention to steal and three charges of theft, attempted murder, indecent assault and assault, recently violated his parole conditions, when he was sneaking around one of his victims' house, where his electronic anklet was triggered, but the parole officers did not respond for days.
He was released on parole on November 27, 2014 which should have expire on October 10 this year. After being caught for breaking his parole conditions and taken back to prison, he will be a free man in September, having served 19 years of his total sentence.
Regional Correctional Services spokesperson Carla Williams said on Tuesday, July 14, "Francois Coetzee will be released in September once his sentence expires. This means he has served his sentence and is no longer the responsibility of Correctional Services. It will then be the sole responsibility of SAPS to deal with any incidents, should they occur."
In January, the same department made a controversial decision not to jail Coetzee again after he was in violation of his parole conditions when he was caught by the Knysna Police walking along the N2 carrying a panga at about 05:00 on Sunday morning, Januarie 11.
The Department of Correctional Services regards the fact that he was not at home at the time of his arrest as a violation, but does not seem to have qualms about Coetzee carrying a panga at that time of the morning.
Simphiwe Xako, spokesperson for the department, said at the time, "The fact that the offender was not at his normal address during January 11 to 12 was viewed as a violation of conviction and he was placed before the Supervision Committee where a warning was issued for the violation.
"The serving of his parole was not affected to the extent that it was necessary for revocation, hence the warning given for the violation of not being at home. The offender will continue to serve his parole, because the parole of the offender was not revoked."
Just after the panga incident, this journalist went to see Coetzee at his house in Hornlee, but Coetzee with a hammer in his hand, threatened the journalist who left when it became apparent that Coetzee would not hesitate to turn to violence.
Regarding the matter of the panga, Xako said: "As for his arrest, no process was followed to inform the victims as he was not charged and thus his parole was not revoked."
On August 6, 1995 Coetzee violently attacked Alix Carmichele who was alone at a friend's house at Noetzie. Carmichele suffered a fractured skull, a shattered arm and deep knife wounds in her chest. At the time of the attack Coetzee was out on bail.
Carmichele knew he was a dangerous man and lived in fear after his release on bail. She fought to have his bail revoked but before she was successful, Coetzee attacked her. It was believed to be a premeditated act aimed at silencing her.
Xako said Coetzee was granted parole because he had already served his minimum prison term. In prison, he completed all the programmes indicated on his sentence plan and more, he furthered his studies inside the facility and his behaviour was good. The department also believed that he had a positive support system.
Due consideration was given to all the reports attached to his profile, including a social worker and psychologist's reports and the unit manager's report.
Xako said that all his victims were consulted when Coetzee was being considered for parole.
Read previous articles below:
- Panga-bearing criminal should have been home
- Weapon not enough to revoke parole
- Sex offender arrested in Knysna
ARTICLE: CHRISTO VERMAAK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD - NEWS EDITOR.
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