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South Africa apartheid assassin de Kock given parole | South Africa apartheid assassin de Kock given parole |
(32 minutes later) | |
South African apartheid-era death squad commander Eugene de Kock has been granted parole after 20 years in jail. | South African apartheid-era death squad commander Eugene de Kock has been granted parole after 20 years in jail. |
He was nicknamed "Prime Evil" for his role in the killing and maiming of activists fighting white minority rule in the 1980s and early 1990s. | He was nicknamed "Prime Evil" for his role in the killing and maiming of activists fighting white minority rule in the 1980s and early 1990s. |
Justice Minister Michael Masutha said De Kock would be released "in the interests of nation-building". | Justice Minister Michael Masutha said De Kock would be released "in the interests of nation-building". |
De Kock, 66, was sentenced in 1996 to two life terms in prison and a further 212 years for the crimes he committed. | De Kock, 66, was sentenced in 1996 to two life terms in prison and a further 212 years for the crimes he committed. |
Mr Masutha said the time and place of De Kock's release would not be made public. | Mr Masutha said the time and place of De Kock's release would not be made public. |
The justice minister stressed that his decision was guided by South Africa's constitution. | The justice minister stressed that his decision was guided by South Africa's constitution. |
'Close a chapter' | 'Close a chapter' |
Sandra Mama, widow of Glenack Mama who was killed by De Kock in 1992, said she thought the minister was right in granting parole. | Sandra Mama, widow of Glenack Mama who was killed by De Kock in 1992, said she thought the minister was right in granting parole. |
"I think it will actually close a chapter in our history because we've come a long way and I think his release will just once again help with the reconciliation process because there's still a lot of things that we need to do as a country," she told the BBC. | "I think it will actually close a chapter in our history because we've come a long way and I think his release will just once again help with the reconciliation process because there's still a lot of things that we need to do as a country," she told the BBC. |
The former colonel was head of the notorious Vlakplaas police unit. | The former colonel was head of the notorious Vlakplaas police unit. |
He appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which was established a year after South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994. | He appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which was established a year after South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994. |
De Kock confessed to more than 100 acts of murder, torture and fraud, taking full responsibility for the activities of his undercover unit. | De Kock confessed to more than 100 acts of murder, torture and fraud, taking full responsibility for the activities of his undercover unit. |
Eugene de Kock at glance: | Eugene de Kock at glance: |
Eugene de Kock: Profile of an apartheid assassin | Eugene de Kock: Profile of an apartheid assassin |
He was granted amnesty for most offences but the TRC only had the power to grant amnesty to human rights violators whose crimes were linked to a political motive and who made a full confession. | He was granted amnesty for most offences but the TRC only had the power to grant amnesty to human rights violators whose crimes were linked to a political motive and who made a full confession. |
During the TRC hearings, he described the murders of a number of African National Congress (ANC) members, in countries including Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Angola, naming the police commander above him in each case. | During the TRC hearings, he described the murders of a number of African National Congress (ANC) members, in countries including Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Angola, naming the police commander above him in each case. |
Ms Mama said that in her opinion, De Kock had been held responsible for the orders of others. | Ms Mama said that in her opinion, De Kock had been held responsible for the orders of others. |
"He got the instructions from the top and they got away with it. They're living, you know... they're amongst us today and one man is taking the fall," she said. | "He got the instructions from the top and they got away with it. They're living, you know... they're amongst us today and one man is taking the fall," she said. |
'Mixed feelings' | |
Whilst in prison he did a radio interview in 2007, accusing South Africa's last white ruler FW de Klerk of having hands "soaked in blood" for ordering specific killings. | Whilst in prison he did a radio interview in 2007, accusing South Africa's last white ruler FW de Klerk of having hands "soaked in blood" for ordering specific killings. |
The former president denied the allegations, saying his conscience was clear. | The former president denied the allegations, saying his conscience was clear. |
De Kock also made contact with some of his victims' families while in jail, asking for forgiveness. | De Kock also made contact with some of his victims' families while in jail, asking for forgiveness. |
Eddie Makue, who worked for the South African Council of Churches when its headquarters was bombed in 1988, said he was ambivalent about the announcement. | |
"It's mixed feelings, which is something we've gotten used to as South Africans,'' he told the Associated Press news agency. | |
The justice minister also announced that he was not granting parole on medical grounds to another convict in jail for apartheid-era crimes. | |
Mr Masutha said former MP Clive Derby-Lewis, who was involved in the assassination in 1993 of Chris Hani - the popular Communist Party politician and leader of the ANC's armed wing - had not shown any real remorse. | |
The murder sparked riots and fears for the transition to democracy ahead of the 1994 elections. |