'Barbie' in shock lover may return

CEZANNE Visser was "shocked" and "scared beyond belief" when she heard about her former lover Dirk Prinsloo's intentions to return to South Africa.

Advocate Johan Engelbrecht, who is representing Visser in her sex crimes trial, said his client, nicknamed "Advocate Barbie", feared for her life should Prinsloo return.

The Times reported yesterday that Prinsloo sent an e-mail to acting National Prosecuting Authority chief, Mokotedi Mpshe, expressing his willingness to return, but under certain conditions.

Prinsloo and Visser's trial for child molestation and manufacturing child pornography had already begun when Prinsloo fled the country in 2006. Visser is facing the charges on her own.

In the e-mail, Prinsloo said he was willing to return if Mpshe deals directly with him. He wants the conditions of his return made an order of court.

He also claims to have fled the country for the sake of his unborn child and the child's mother. He claims to have heard of his impending fatherhood while on a business trip to Russia in 2006.

He said the mother feared for his life, which resulted in his decision to remain in "forced exile".

Prinsloo's reported fatherhood was a huge shock to Visser, said Engelbrecht.

"She is very upset. She fears for her own life, which proves how scared she has always been of the man," he said. "Prinsloo is again hiding behind a woman, this time a woman he claims is the mother of his child. The letter smacks of arrogance and proves my point, that he is, in fact, a psychopath."

The Times has established that Interpol, which issued a "red notice" for the fugitive advocate, has been asked to investigate the e-mail.

The Times understands that the NPA regards the letter as authentic, but is reluctant to negotiate with Prinsloo with "a gun held against their head".

This was confirmed by the NPA's executive communications manager, Bulelwa Makeke, who said Mpshe would attend to the matter, but the NPA would not be pressurised by Prinsloo's 72 hours deadline.

"He's not in a position to give us deadlines. [Mpshe] will give it his attention or allocate it to someone," Makeke said.