South Africa stops early release of rapist former tennis star
79-year-old Bob Hewitt, was jailed for six years in 2015 for raping two girls and sexually assaulting a third while he was a coach in the 1980s and 1990s.
He was set to be released on parole later this month but, on Monday, that decision was suspended.
Hewitt’s case will now be referred to the country’s parole board for review.
Proper procedures regarding the decision to grant him parole were not followed and his victims were not consulted, the Department of Justice and Correctional Services said.
Hewitt had reportedly been due to be released on 23 September. It is not known when the parole board will review his case.
The former tennis multiple Grand Slam doubles champion in the 1960s and 1970s, initially played for Australia, but later moved to South Africa and took citizenship there.
He was suspended from the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012 after abuse allegations.
During his trial for rape, the prosecutor said Hewitt deserved a harsh sentence because he had failed to show remorse and had breached the trust of children.
