Pretoria – The Department of Correctional Services has welcomed a court ruling that will see two of the so-called Waterkloof Four going back to prison next month.
The ruling follows a public uproar after Reinach Tiedt and Gert van Schalkwyk - who along with two others were sentenced to 12 years in prison for beating a homeless man to death in 2001 - were released in 2011.
In December 2011, a regional court granted the two boys their freedom by “wrongfully” converting their sentences to correctional supervision.
James Smalberger, the chief deputy commissioner: incarceration and corrections, said on Thursday: “The Department of Correctional Services welcomes the ruling by the North Gauteng High Court yesterday (12 June 2013) in the case of the wrongful conversion of the sentences…
“Upon their return to Zonderwater Correctional Centre they will merely continue to serve their sentences as if not released.”
The high court ruling will take effect on July 10. – SAnews.gov.za
