Derby-Lewis hopes it’s fourth-time lucky

File photo: Clive Derby-Lewis

File photo: Clive Derby-Lewis

Published Apr 10, 2013

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Johannesburg - Gaye Derby-Lewis, the wife of convicted killer Clive Derby-Lewis, intends to apply again to have him released on medical parole. It will be the fourth time she does so.

The Department of Correctional Services confirmed that Derby-Lewis’s latest application (the third) had been denied by the Medical Advisory Board.

Derby-Lewis phoned his wife on Sunday to inform her of the decision.

“I understand why they didn’t give him medical parole, because he’s not terminally ill,” Gaye said.

She said although his prostate cancer was “under control”, he had problems with treatment in prison and almost had his leg amputated because of gangrene in 2010, due to mistreatment.

She expects to visit her husband in prison this weekend, where they will discuss applying for medical parole for the fourth time.

“There’s a new minister (of correctional services), so we’re quite hopeful,” she said.

She added that former minister of correctional services Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula “had it in for Clive”.

Minister S’bu Ndebele took over from Mapisa-Nqakula in June last year.

Department chief deputy commissioner James Smalberger said medical parole was not recommended by the board if the applicant did not meet the criteria to be released.

“The Department of Correctional Services is obliged by law and the principle of doctor-patient confidentiality not to disclose the medical condition of the offender or the reason for denying medical parole,” Smalberger added.

Derby-Lewis and Janusz Walus were jailed for life for the murder of Chris Hani, the general secretary of the SACP.

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