The wife of Clive Derby-Lewis was on Saturday caught trying to smuggle a laptop into hospital where he is being kept, correctional services said.
“Mrs Gaye Derby-Lewis brought a laptop when visiting offender Clive Derby-Lewis at the hospital without following correctional procedures resulting in the laptop being confiscated by the emergency support team members,” spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said in a statement on Saturday.
Derby-Lewis is serving a 25-year sentence for his part in the murder of South African Communist Party secretary general Chris Hani.
The 74-year-old is recovering in hospital after undergoing a successful skin graft on his right leg.
Derby-Lewis had to undergo two operations after he bumped his leg on an iron bed base in a hospital corridor, causing a severe infection to his leg.
The department allows prisoners to use computers for their studies. The computer is given to a teacher who checks that its contents relate to the course work of the relevant institution.
Before approval the computer is checked by the department’s IT unit to ensure that it cannot be used for anything other than studies.
“The department is investigating the conduct and will determine if any further steps are required following this incident, going forward more stringent controls will be instituted to ensure full compliance with our policies and procedures,” the department said. – Sapa