Court rules in favour of Derby-Lewis

Friday, May 29, 2015

Pretoria – Clive Derby-Lewis, incarcerated for the role he played in the murder of SA Communist Party leader Chris Hani, is to be released on medical parole.

Derby-Lewis has spent over 21 years in prison. He has lung cancer which was detected after being stabbed in prison.

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha denied him parole in January on the grounds that his cancer was stage 3 and not stage 4. According to prison laws, cancer must be at stage 4 for medical parole to be considered.

Minister Masutha also believed there was no proof of remorse on Derby-Lewis's part.

His lawyers then applied to the court for a review of the decision.

The High Court in Pretoria ruled that he be released. – SAnews.gov.za