Cezanne Visser also known as Advocate Barbie walks out of the Pretoria High Court followed by her mother Susan Lemmer and her step father Professor Johan Lemmer in this file picture. Picture: Masi Losi Cezanne Visser also known as Advocate Barbie walks out of the Pretoria High Court followed by her mother Susan Lemmer and her step father Professor Johan Lemmer in this file picture. Picture: Masi Losi
Johannesburg - Cezanne Visser will have the unwavering support of her legal team if her alleged former partner in crime, Dirk Prinsloo, returns to South Africa from Europe.
It is believed that Visser, who was dubbed Advocate Barbie, will probably be called as a witness should Prinsloo stand trial.
This week it was announced that the disgraced lawyer was due to be released on parole from prison in Belarus.
Prinsloo skipped the country after he was accused in a child sex scandal with Visser in 2005. He told the court that he was going to Russia on holiday for Christmas. He never returned. A warrant of arrest was issued in South Africa.
In 2009, he was arrested in Belarus after he attempted to rob a bank and was sentenced to 13 years in prison for theft.
Now classed as a sex offender, Visser was convicted on 11 charges including fraud, rape, indecent assault and the manufacturing of child pornography.
In 2010, she was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. Visser was released in 2013.
Nelson Kgwete, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, confirmed that South Africa was in contact with the authorities in Moscow and Minsk.
A decision has to be taken on whether Prinsloo will be deported or extradited.
Yesterday, Visser’s attorney, Johann Engelbrecht, said he had not yet discussed Prinsloo’s possible return to the country with Visser, but had planned to meet with her soon.
“Yes, he is coming back. I will give [Visser] whatever support she needs,” Engelbrecht said.