News / Africa
Chris Hani killer, Clive Derby-Lewis, denied parole
26 Aug 2011 at 14:22hrs | Views
Johannesburg - Right-winger Clive Derby-Lewis, who was convicted of the murder of SA Communist Party general secretary Chris Hani, has been denied parole, his lawyer said on Friday.
"Yes indeed," said Marius Coertze, confirming a report on SABC radio news that Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had officially denied his parole.
Derby-Lewis and Polish immigrant Janus Walusz are serving life sentences for the murder of Hani in 1993, the year before South Africa's first democratic elections.
Cancer
Derby-Lewis's legal team said earlier this year that he was being treated for prostate cancer and skin cancer.
His supporters have also compared his application to that of President Jacob Zuma's former financial adviser Schabir Shaik, who was released on parole following a corruption conviction on the grounds that he had a terminal illness.
Derby-Lewis was convicted of conspiracy to murder and was initially sentenced to death for his role in Hani's assassination, but this was changed to life imprisonment when the death penalty was outlawed in 1995.
He confessed to his role in the assassination to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but was not granted amnesty.
The department was not immediately available for comment, but SAFM reported that the application was denied because Hani's family was not consulted before the recommendation for parole was made.
"Yes indeed," said Marius Coertze, confirming a report on SABC radio news that Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had officially denied his parole.
Derby-Lewis and Polish immigrant Janus Walusz are serving life sentences for the murder of Hani in 1993, the year before South Africa's first democratic elections.
Cancer
His supporters have also compared his application to that of President Jacob Zuma's former financial adviser Schabir Shaik, who was released on parole following a corruption conviction on the grounds that he had a terminal illness.
Derby-Lewis was convicted of conspiracy to murder and was initially sentenced to death for his role in Hani's assassination, but this was changed to life imprisonment when the death penalty was outlawed in 1995.
He confessed to his role in the assassination to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but was not granted amnesty.
The department was not immediately available for comment, but SAFM reported that the application was denied because Hani's family was not consulted before the recommendation for parole was made.
Source - Sapa
