Pretoria – Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha has denied former apartheid-era police colonel, Eugene de Kock, parole.
De Kock was sentenced to 212 years in jail in 1996 for the murders he committed during the apartheid years.
According to Minister Masutha, not all the due processes were followed properly, as families of the victims were not informed or consulted about De Kock’s parole application, as required by law.
Last month, the Gauteng High Court issued an order to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to consider the recommendation made by the National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS) and to make a decision within 30 days, regarding De Kock’s parole.
The NCCS made a recommendation about De Kock's parole in November last year.
Addressing the media in Pretoria on Thursday, Minister Masutha said he has instructed that De Kock’s parole application processes be reviewed.
“I have not approved parole at this stage but directed that a further profile be resubmitted not later than 12 months,” Minister Masutha said.
He explained that parole is an internationally accepted mechanism that allows for the conditional release of offenders from a correctional centre into the community prior to the expiration of their sentences of imprisonment as imposed by the court.
“It is also important to note that offenders do not have a right to be placed on parole, but merely a right to be considered for parole after having served the minimum required period for parole,” Minister Masutha said.
De Kock is serving sentences, which include life for the murders of Japie Kereng Maponya and five other people from Nelspruit -- Oscar Mxolisi Ntshota, Glenack Masilo Mama, Lawrence Jacey Nyelende, Khona Gabela and Tisetso Leballo – known as the Nelspruit Five.
De Kock did not receive amnesty from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for the murders.
According to Minister Masutha, De Kock has been informed of the decision to deny him parole.
However, the minister said he has noted various positive reports, compiled by the relevant professionals and bodies, about De Kock.
“I have noted the progress he is reported to have made to improve his skills while in custody, as well as the assistance Mr De Kock is said to have provided and continues to provide to the Missing Persons Task Team of the National Prosecuting Authority,” he said.
At the time of the murders, De Kock was in charge of a police "death squad" at Vlakplaas, outside Pretoria, and was arrested in mid-1994.
He was convicted and sentenced in the High Court in Pretoria in 1996.
He was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment for two murders and to a further 212 years' imprisonment on charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, culpable homicide, kidnapping, assault, and fraud.
De Kock has already spent two decades in prison. - SAnews.gov.za
