Cape Town - The mother of Ashley Oosthuizen, who is imprisoned for life in Thailand for drug trafficking, has moved mountains and even continents to be near her daughter. This as they await a court date following an application made to the Supreme Court to appeal her jail term.
Lynnette Blignaut from George has moved to Thailand to be closer to her 25-year-old daughter and has been making regular updates via their Facebook page. “A Voice for Ashley Oosthuizen,” where she shares details about her visits and latest developments on the case.
Just last week, Lynnette made live videos describing how well Ashley was doing and that they expected a court date soon.
She shared how she is allowed to visit her child once a week and can bring her new books to read with the assistance of the SA Consulate.
She also asked that the public who were following Ashley’s case and were keen to help, to refrain from messaging or contacting government officials in South Africa as there was no intervention where South Africa could get involved.
“Ashley is doing well, she looks good,” said Blignaut.
“She had diarrhoea for days but nothing serious. She looks great but just gets a little impatient in some stages and by the grace of God, He gives her the strength to go through each and every day. She is also looking forward to the new books that I delivered.
“It is always sad to leave but I am thankful to be able to visit her for twenty minutes once a week. Thanks to everyone’s support and prayers, we appreciate it. We trust that Ashley will be with us very soon.
“This is just a waiting game, we will get a court date in the next week, or in the next month or two. We keep on trusting God’s perfect timing. As the word goes, weeping in the night, joy comes in the morning.
Later she writes: “She has cut her hair and even the officer has made a comment that now we almost look the same. We are grateful for your response on her latest post and we ask that you refrain from messaging the government, the embassy and the politicians, because unfortunately they cannot do anything.
“There is no agreement between South Africa and Thailand on bringing Ashley home, it is out of their hands, and it has never been in their hands, they can only give Consular help which means they would help us to book visits, and for her books as well.”
Earlier, Blignaut explained first to be done would be to arrange a petition for the Supreme Court to hear their case - which could take up to a year and that if this is accepted, it would take another year or two for the case to be heard.
Weekend Argus also attempted gaining additional comments from Blignaut but she did not respond.
Ashley shared how her mother had travelled for hours via a train from Bangkok to Thailand to see her last week.
“Fourteen hours. That’s what it took for her to get here. And that’s only the train ride. My eyes tear up and I stare at her blankly as she chatters on lively,” she wrote.
“And all we have is 20 minutes. And when it is done, she will return. Return to the train station, return the rental bike, return to Bangkok. Another 14 hours. That makes a full day and some 3 or 5 hours over…what an emotional ordeal…And all we get is 20 minutes.”
“I let out a delighted shriek upon hearing my name announced for the last visiting slot of the morning and a little jump escapes me as I clasp my hands - just when I started to accept the fact that I probably have to wait another week to see my mom!”
Oosthuizen was arrested in 2020 for international drug trafficking after she accepted a package containing MDMA, ecstasy while working at a restaurant and had moved to Thailand in 2018 for better opportunities as a preschool teacher.
Weekend Argus also reached out to DIRCO, Department of International Relations and Cooperation’ Clayson Monyela on the latest developments on the matter and to ascertain how many South Africans are currently abroad but he did not respond.
In earlier reports they confirmed to the media that nearly 800 people were imprisoned abroad.