Johannesburg -
Two of the “Waterkloof Four” will file an urgent court application in the Pretoria High Court on Friday to have their parole reinstated.
On February 16, Christoff Becker and Frikkie du Preez were re-arrested after footage emerged of them allegedly drinking alcohol and using a cellphone at the Kgosi Mampuru prison.
The video, reportedly taken on a cellphone, was posted on YouTube. It showed Du Preez and Becker drinking, and using a cellphone in jail.
Earlier in February, Becker, Du Preez, Gert van Schalkwyk and Reinach Tiedt were released after being jailed for beating a homeless man to death in Pretoria in 2001.
Becker, 27, said in court papers that his re-arrest in February was for nonsensical reasons, five days after being released on parole.
He said he was at home on February 16 when Rapport newspaper carried an article about him and Du Preez, who allegedly held a party in prison where alcohol was used.
Becker, Du Preez and two other prisoners were in his cell at the time, the newspaper reported.
In court papers, Becker denied that alcohol was used at the party, which was video-recorded. He also said the pictures of Johnnie Walker and J&B in the video were in fact pictures of a computer's screen saver.
He wanted the parole board to set aside the decision to revoke his parole, be moved back to Pretoria from Kokstad prison, and be released on parole on the same conditions he was released in February.
Becker also sought to have his re-arrest and detention declared unlawful, and for the department to pay for his legal bill.
The correctional services department said on Wednesday that they would oppose Becker's application.
“The department has submitted papers in reply to court,” spokesman Manelisi Wolela said. - Sapa