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South Africa's apartheid-era assassin 'Prime Evil' denied parole South Africa's apartheid-era assassin 'Prime Evil' denied parole
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An apartheid-era assassin known as "Prime Evil" has been denied parole by the South African government because the families of his victims had been denied a say.An apartheid-era assassin known as "Prime Evil" has been denied parole by the South African government because the families of his victims had been denied a say.
Eugene de Kock was sentenced in 1996 to two terms of life imprisonment plus 212 years for murder and other crimes as head of a police death squad that tortured and killed dozens of struggle activists. His bid for freedom has sparked debate in South Africa about the morality of forgiveness and how the country should come to terms with its traumatic past. Eugene de Kock was sentenced in 1996 to two terms of life imprisonment plus 212 years for murder and other crimes as head of a police death squad that tortured and killed dozens of struggle activists. His bid for freedom has sparked debate in South Africa about the moral issues around forgiveness and how the country should come to terms with its traumatic past.
The South African justice minister, Michael Masutha, on Thursday told a press conference in the capital, Pretoria, that De Kock had "made progress" towards rehabilitation but continued: "I am of the view that it is fair and in the interests of the victims and the broader community that the families of the victims are afforded an opportunity to participate in the parole consideration process." On Thursday the South African justice minister, Michael Masutha,told a press conference in the capital, Pretoria, that De Kock had "made progress" towards rehabilitation but added: "I am of the view that it is fair and in the interests of the victims and the broader community that the families of the victims are afforded an opportunity to participate in the parole consideration process."
He added: "In the circumstances, I have not approved parole at this stage but have directed that a further profile be resubmitted not later than 12 months from today instead of the two-year period prescribed by law." He said: "In the circumstances, I have not approved parole at this stage but have directed that a further profile be resubmitted not later than 12 months from today instead of the two-year period prescribed by law."
The decision was condemned by Jacques Pauw, an investigative journalist who broke the story of the apartheid death squads. De Kock has already personally apologised to every family member affected, he told the eNews Channel Africa. "I find it rather staggering that the minister can overturn a decision by the parole board. The board recommended last year that De Kock be released on parole."The decision was condemned by Jacques Pauw, an investigative journalist who broke the story of the apartheid death squads. De Kock has already personally apologised to every family member affected, he told the eNews Channel Africa. "I find it rather staggering that the minister can overturn a decision by the parole board. The board recommended last year that De Kock be released on parole."
De Kock is among a handful of officials from the era of white minority rule prosecuted after being refused amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which was set up in 1995 to hear testimony from perpetrators and victims with the aim of national healing.De Kock is among a handful of officials from the era of white minority rule prosecuted after being refused amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which was set up in 1995 to hear testimony from perpetrators and victims with the aim of national healing.
It is the second time De Kock has been denied parole; the authorities did not respond to his first request. The 65-year-old, held at Pretoria central prison, has argued that he is being unfairly singled out. In an affidavit supporting his parole application, he wrote: "I am the only member of the South African Police Service that is serving a sentence for crimes which I had committed as part of the National party's attempt to uphold apartheid and fight the liberation movements.It is the second time De Kock has been denied parole; the authorities did not respond to his first request. The 65-year-old, held at Pretoria central prison, has argued that he is being unfairly singled out. In an affidavit supporting his parole application, he wrote: "I am the only member of the South African Police Service that is serving a sentence for crimes which I had committed as part of the National party's attempt to uphold apartheid and fight the liberation movements.
"Not one of the previous generals or ministers who were in the cabinet up to 1990 have been prosecuted at all. I would never have committed the crimes if it was not for the political context of the time, and the position I was placed in, and in particular the orders I had received from my superiors.""Not one of the previous generals or ministers who were in the cabinet up to 1990 have been prosecuted at all. I would never have committed the crimes if it was not for the political context of the time, and the position I was placed in, and in particular the orders I had received from my superiors."
De Kock was commander of the Vlakplass "counterterrorism" unit, based on a farm in the outskirts of Pretoria and blamed for killing at least 70 people. Testifying before the TRC, he calmly described scores of atrocities, from bombing the African National Congress headquarters in London to cross-border raids where he was applauded for shooting dead women and children. De Kock was commander of the Vlakplass "counterterrorism" unit, based on a farm in the outskirts of Pretoria and blamed for killing at least 70 people. Testifying before the TRC, he calmly described scores of atrocities, from bombing the African National Congress headquarters in London to cross-border raids for which he was applauded after shooting dead women and children.