Pretoria - Christoff Becker, one of the Waterkloof Four, may celebrate Christmas with his family at home this year, as Correctional Services confirmed that he would be released “as soon as possible”.
Officials have, however, remained tight-lipped as to where and when Becker would be released.
He is being kept at the maximum security prison in Kokstad, since he was incarcerated there earlier this year after a cellphone was allegedly found in his possession at the Kgosi Mampuru II Prison in Pretoria.
While confirming his release following a court order, Correctional Services spokesman Logan Maistry on Monday declined to comment on when Becker would be released.
Maistry also did not want to say whether Becker would be released from Kokstad, or whether he would be brought back to Pretoria to be released. “It is difficult to say when he will be released. We are following due process to ensure that he is released as soon as possible.”
Maistry said for security reasons, Correctional Services wouldn’t divulge Becker’s location.
But Becker’s lawyer, Carel Taute, on Monday told the Pretoria News that Becker was still in Kokstad.
“On Friday, Correctional Services undertook to release my client. His parents phoned the prison authorities in Kokstad this morning (on Monday) and they said they have not received any instructions regarding his release.”
Taute said he wrote letters to the prison authorities and tried his utmost best to facilitate his client’s release in line with the court order.
“I just now received a call (to say) that some or other (official) transport is on its way to Kokstad.”
“But I still have no idea when, where or at what time he will be released,” Taute said.
Judge André Louw earlier ordered Becker had to be released on the same parole conditions on which he was released on February 11 this year, pending the appeal court’s decision whether Becker had in the first place had to appeal before the parole board where his parole was revoked.
His counsel maintain that he did not violate any of his parole conditions at the time he was whisked back to a cell after being out of jail for about five days. The parole of both Becker and co-accused Frikkie du Preez was revoked after a video was released, allegedly depicting them partying in Becker’s prison cell shortly before they were released.
The pair have since turned to the courts several times, trying to secure their release.
Their main contention was that the alleged violation was committed while they were still in prison. They maintained that it had nothing to do with their parole.
While Becker can look forward to a Christmas with his family, Du Preez will remain in the Kgosi Mampuru II Prison in Pretoria.
His lawyer, Oelof de Meyer, confirmed on Monday that they were not at this stage going to ask for an urgent order to release him. De Meyer said the department promised to reconsider his client’s parole on January 15 and they would wait until then to decide the way forward. The two were sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, together with two other co-accused, for the 2001 killing of a homeless man.
The others, Reinach Tiedt and Gert van Schalkwyk, have already been released on parole.
Pretoria News