The African National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday joined the family of slain South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani in welcoming a high court ruling dismissing Clive Derby-Lewis’s bid for parole.
”The African National Congress has noted the decision of the Pretoria High Court [North Gauteng High Court] to dismiss the parole application of Clive Derby-Lewis, one of the killers of ANC and SACP [South African Communist Party] stalwart Chris Hani,” ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte said in a statement.
”The ANC respects and welcomes the decision of the court.
”The callous murder of Isithwalandwe Chris Hani in 1993 struck a grave blow to those South Africans who regarded him as a hero of the liberation struggle, and threatened to derail the process towards a political settlement in this country,” Duarte said.
The Hani family said in a statement through spokesperson Chris Vick that the ruling had ”strengthened our resolve and provides some reassurance”.
”We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that this man serves his full sentence, and that justice runs its full course.”
The family also appreciated the support it had received from ”many, many people and organisations” who had been opposed to Derby-Lewis’s early release.
Asked to comment, Derby-Lewis’s wife, Gaye, said: ”I have absolutely nothing to say. Let the country decide,” before hanging up the phone.
The North Gauteng High Court on Tuesday dismissed Derby-Lewis’s parole application with costs.
Handing down judgement, Deputy Judge President Jerry Shongwe said it was the unanimous decision of a full bench.
Derby-Lewis, 73, had served 15-years of a life sentence, after his death sentence was reduced to life imprisonment when the death penalty was abolished. — Sapa