Pretoria - The Department of Correctional Services has refuted reports that Clive Derby-Lewis, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Chris Hani, is to be placed on parole in October.
According to the department, the media reports are aimed at putting pressure on the normal processes of administering the parole system of the department.
According to certain media, the parole board had recommended for a second time that Derby-Lewis be freed, and with a decision expected in October. His last application for parole was dismissed by the High Court in Pretoria in March last year.
The department stated that lifers are, by law, only granted or refused parole by the Minister of Correctional Services Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula after applying her mind on the recommendations of the Parole Board and the National Council of Correctional Services.
"Claims of involvement of Justice Minister are just indications of malice or unjustifiable ignorance," the department said.
It also said the parole process begins with the local Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) which makes recommendations to the National Council of Correctional Services that is led by a Judge for further consideration and submission to the minister and that the submission of the CSPB has not been served before the NCCS and may or may not be served before the advisory body in its October 2010 meeting.
"The minister will only apply her mind and make a determination on the suitability or not of placing a lifer, in this case Mr Derby-Lewis, on parole after receiving the submission of the NCCS and the Parole Review Board has absolutely nothing to do with lifers," said the department.
It added that it was planning to register a serious concern with the Press Ombudsman about the media reports regarding Derby-Lewis' parole application.
