The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) supports the SACP’s fight against the granting of parole to the man who murdered the late Comrade, Chris Hani.  The organisation does not believe that Clive Derby-Lewis has realised the extend of the pain suffered by many South Africans as a result of his action when he gunned down Hani 21 years ago. He therefore has no place in a democratic society such as ours as he has not expressed remorse to the family of Chris Hani or the Communist Party for his vicious attack on not only a single individual but the movement as a whole.

POPCRU has also noted the statements by the Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Michael Masutha which indicated that there had been a positive recommendation for Derby-Lewis’ parole. Although we are a conciliatory and forgiving people as a nation, we do not believe that those values should extend to murderers who refused to fully disclose all their crimes and the motives in front of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Derby Lewis is yet to confess why he provided the gun that killed Chris Hani in his driveway all those years ago.

Despite reports that the individual in question is terminally ill, we still object to his early exit from prison. We believe he should serve his entire sentence behind bars, where he belongs. We will only be in a position to review our stance on this matter should Derby Lewis disclose all the information on the assassination of the late SACP General Secretary.

Issued by POPCRU on 12 June 2014

For More Information Contact:

Theto Mahlakoana
Media & Communications Officer
Tel: 011 242 4615
Cell: 076 851 8884
E-mail: thetom@popcru.org.za