Words of forgiveness for the man who committed some of apartheid’s worst atrocities followed news yesterday of Eugene de Kock’s imminent parole.
Talk also turned to compensation for families of his and other victims of apartheid, many in the Eastern Cape.
In the coming days a support group – Khulumani – will file papers in the North Gauteng High Court forcing government to introduce legislation that will look into the needs of close to 85000 members.
Eugene de Kock, nicknamed as apartheid’s “Prime Evil”, was yesterday set free by Justice Minister Michael Masuthu, who, at the same time, denied parole to Clive Derby-Lewis, one of two men convicted of the murder of former SACP leader, Chris Hani.
Director of Khulumani, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s victim support group started in 1995 and based in Johannesburg, Dr Marjorie Jobson, said they expected to be in court by the end of this month.
“There has not been support for victims financially to go and meet De Kock. They have to fundraise. We want the procedure to change and government to stop looking into the needs of perpetrators but of victims.
“There is no justice done to the victims. Nothing has been done to restore their lives and there is so much focus on De Kock.
“They dealt only with six murders but there are close to 200 murder cases that have not been dealt with and victims still have unanswered questions.
“Government continues to favour a few white people at the expense of poor blacks. We hope this case will be a turning point.”
Jobson said they had raised their issues with the justice ministry without success.
She said the statement made by the minister that consultations made with victims was “adequate” was a distortion.
“There were very limited consultations. Now, victims need to take centre stage. Justice must be served,” she said.
The family of Bathandwa Ndondo, a student activist from Cala village killed by De Kock in 1985, said they accepted government’s move to grant him parole.
Ndondo was shot nine times – eight shots came while he was lying down, according to forensic reports.
Bathandwa’s sister, Busisiwe, said the family did not receive support from government and expressed how they felt about De Kock’s parole.
“There is nothing we can do to stop this government decision. We grew up in a Christian home and we believe what happens is for a reason and God’s way. We will have to continue being humiliated as our brother died for nothing.”
She said the talk of parole opened old wounds and that she was always reminded his last words to her.
“He told me that he was going to take care of us and wants to finish his studies. That was his promise. Now people are benefiting and my mother who is 80 years old will go to her grave without any consolation,” Busisiwe said.
East Londoner Chris Meyer, whose brother Leon and sister-in-law Jacki Quin were killed in the bloody Maseru raid in 1985, said De Kock had shown remorse.
Meyer, who was not aware that he had been granted parole, said he welcomed the decision.
In explaining his parole decision, Masutha said he was “satisfied” with positive reports compiled by the relevant professionals and bodies regarding De Kock’s progress.
De Kock’s parole application was denied last year because the families of the victims had not been consulted. “Mr De Kock is said to have provided and continues to provide information to the Missing Persons Task Team of the National Prosecuting Authority. I am also satisfied that comprehensive consultation with affected families has been done.”
De Kock was headed a special police unit at Vlakpaas where anti-apartheid activists were killed.
He was arrested in 1994 and served his sentence at C Max section of the Pretoria Central Prison.
He was sentenced to two life terms and a further 212 years’ imprisonment following convictions for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, culpable homicide, kidnapping, assault and fraud. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
FACE OF EVIL FREED
Talk also turned to compensation for families of his and other victims of apartheid, many in the Eastern Cape.
In the coming days a support group – Khulumani – will file papers in the North Gauteng High Court forcing government to introduce legislation that will look into the needs of close to 85000 members.
Eugene de Kock, nicknamed as apartheid’s “Prime Evil”, was yesterday set free by Justice Minister Michael Masuthu, who, at the same time, denied parole to Clive Derby-Lewis, one of two men convicted of the murder of former SACP leader, Chris Hani.
Director of Khulumani, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s victim support group started in 1995 and based in Johannesburg, Dr Marjorie Jobson, said they expected to be in court by the end of this month.
“There has not been support for victims financially to go and meet De Kock. They have to fundraise. We want the procedure to change and government to stop looking into the needs of perpetrators but of victims.
“There is no justice done to the victims. Nothing has been done to restore their lives and there is so much focus on De Kock.
“They dealt only with six murders but there are close to 200 murder cases that have not been dealt with and victims still have unanswered questions.
“Government continues to favour a few white people at the expense of poor blacks. We hope this case will be a turning point.”
Jobson said they had raised their issues with the justice ministry without success.
She said the statement made by the minister that consultations made with victims was “adequate” was a distortion.
“There were very limited consultations. Now, victims need to take centre stage. Justice must be served,” she said.
The family of Bathandwa Ndondo, a student activist from Cala village killed by De Kock in 1985, said they accepted government’s move to grant him parole.
Ndondo was shot nine times – eight shots came while he was lying down, according to forensic reports.
Bathandwa’s sister, Busisiwe, said the family did not receive support from government and expressed how they felt about De Kock’s parole.
“There is nothing we can do to stop this government decision. We grew up in a Christian home and we believe what happens is for a reason and God’s way. We will have to continue being humiliated as our brother died for nothing.”
She said the talk of parole opened old wounds and that she was always reminded his last words to her.
“He told me that he was going to take care of us and wants to finish his studies. That was his promise. Now people are benefiting and my mother who is 80 years old will go to her grave without any consolation,” Busisiwe said.
East Londoner Chris Meyer, whose brother Leon and sister-in-law Jacki Quin were killed in the bloody Maseru raid in 1985, said De Kock had shown remorse.
Meyer, who was not aware that he had been granted parole, said he welcomed the decision.
In explaining his parole decision, Masutha said he was “satisfied” with positive reports compiled by the relevant professionals and bodies regarding De Kock’s progress.
De Kock’s parole application was denied last year because the families of the victims had not been consulted. “Mr De Kock is said to have provided and continues to provide information to the Missing Persons Task Team of the National Prosecuting Authority. I am also satisfied that comprehensive consultation with affected families has been done.”
De Kock was headed a special police unit at Vlakpaas where anti-apartheid activists were killed.
He was arrested in 1994 and served his sentence at C Max section of the Pretoria Central Prison.
He was sentenced to two life terms and a further 212 years’ imprisonment following convictions for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, culpable homicide, kidnapping, assault and fraud. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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