Granting parole to the two men found guilty of the murders of actor Brett Goldin and fashion designer Richard Bloom would send the wrong message, the DA says.
Jade Wyngaard and Nurshad Davids have served half of their 12-year sentences and are expected to attend a parole board hearing on July 4.
The men, who were 18 and 19 when sentenced, are also expected to receive the six months’ remission of sentence announced by President Jacob Zuma.
DA correctional services spokesman James Selfe said the “brutal execution-style” murders had devastated Goldin’s and Bloom’s families and friends, “shocked the international theatre community, and grievously damaged South Africa’s reputation”.
Selfe said people found guilty of such horrific and violent crimes should serve a long sentence before being considered for release on parole – and then only once it could be shown they were properly rehabilitated.
“Quite frankly, the sentences were inappropriately lenient, given the nature of the crime.”
Releasing the men on parole would send a message that “we do not regard cold-blooded murder as an offence for which a long period of imprisonment is the only fitting punishment”, Selfe said.
Department of Correctional Services spokesman Phumlani Ximiya said the parole board would take a variety of factors into account in considering parole. The families of the murdered men would be involved at every stage of the process.
After determining whether the men were eligible for parole, submissions in favour of or against their release would be considered.
The nature of the crime, the way in which it was committed, and whether the perpetrators had shown remorse also counted.