FF Plus demands parole for Derby-Lewis
2011-02-28 16:36
Cape Town - The Freedom Front Plus said on Monday the State's failure to release Clive Derby-Lewis on medical parole, as it did with Schabir Shaik, was a severe case of double standards that undermined the government's credibility.
"While Schabir Shaik plays golf while on medical parole, Clive Derby-Lewis is receiving chemotherapy for serious prostate cancer," FF Plus leader Pieter Mulder said in a statement.
"According to correctional services, Derby-Lewis apparently does not qualify for similar medical parole. No logical or legal explanation exists for these double standards.
"These double standards seriously affect the credibility of the department of correctional services and the relevant ANC ministers."
Mulder said it appeared that the authorities were dragging their feet in processing Derby-Lewis's latest application for medical parole.
"Clive Derby-Lewis is at present 75-years-old and his life expectancy is less than 24 months if the cancer is not effectively fought off by the chemotherapy. He qualifies according to all guidelines for medical and normal parole.
"He should have been granted parole in October of 2008 already, on the basis of his age and according to recommendations of his parole board.
"The process was sunk numerous times by politicians. It appears as if his new application for medical parole is also calculatingly being held up."
Derby-Lewis, a former Conservative Party MP, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 1993 assassination of Chris Hani, the general secretary of the SA Communist Party and the leader of the ANC's military wing.
The decision to release Shaik, President Jacob Zuma's former financial adviser, on medical parole after he served only two years of a 15-year jail term for fraud linked to the arms deal continues to cause controversy.
Political parties urged the ministry of correctional services to review his parole conditions on Sunday after he allegedly hit a journalist from the Sunday Tribune when she tried to approach him while he was playing golf at the weekend.
- SAPA
