Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Michael Masutha has agreed to review apartheid-era assassin Eugene de Kock’s parole bid in a settlement reached in the Pretoria High Court yesterday.
De Kock’s lawyer Julian Knight said the agreement was that the parole application for the man dubbed “Prime Evil” be referred back to the National Council for Correctional Services for recommendation and back to a final decision on or before January 31 next year.
Knight said the victim-offender dialogue that was a stumbling block for De Kock’s parole had taken place, saying Masutha was happy on that basis and that both parties got what they wanted.
Masutha turned down De Kock’s parole application in July, citing lack of sufficient victim consultation for his decision.
De Kock, arrested in 1994 and sentenced in 1996, is serving two life sentences for murder and another 212 years for conspiracy to commit murder, culpable homicide, kidnapping, assault and fraud.
De Kock appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and was given amnesty for some crimes, but was convicted of murder and other charges linked to his role as the commanding officer of the C10 police unit at Vlakplaas, a farm west of Pretoria.
Khulumani Support Group, started by survivors and families of victims of apartheid atrocities, has argued that De Kock be released on parole but on condition that he continued consultation with those affected by his actions.
According to the agreement reached in front of Judge Mpho Molopa, the National Council for Correctional Services has until December 19 to make a recommendation on De Kock’s parole application.
De Kock’s parole will be reviewed
De Kock’s lawyer Julian Knight said the agreement was that the parole application for the man dubbed “Prime Evil” be referred back to the National Council for Correctional Services for recommendation and back to a final decision on or before January 31 next year.
Knight said the victim-offender dialogue that was a stumbling block for De Kock’s parole had taken place, saying Masutha was happy on that basis and that both parties got what they wanted.
Masutha turned down De Kock’s parole application in July, citing lack of sufficient victim consultation for his decision.
De Kock, arrested in 1994 and sentenced in 1996, is serving two life sentences for murder and another 212 years for conspiracy to commit murder, culpable homicide, kidnapping, assault and fraud.
De Kock appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and was given amnesty for some crimes, but was convicted of murder and other charges linked to his role as the commanding officer of the C10 police unit at Vlakplaas, a farm west of Pretoria.
Khulumani Support Group, started by survivors and families of victims of apartheid atrocities, has argued that De Kock be released on parole but on condition that he continued consultation with those affected by his actions.
According to the agreement reached in front of Judge Mpho Molopa, the National Council for Correctional Services has until December 19 to make a recommendation on De Kock’s parole application.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos