Johannesburg - South Africans on Friday questioned Justice Minister Michael Masutha's decision to release former Vlakplaas commander Eugene de Kock on parole, but keep Chris Hani's killer Clive Derby-Lewis incarcerated.
“Politics is nonsense. Lewis killed one person and De Kock killed many people,” said Ndanduleni Tshiambara on Facebook.
Another Facebook user, Estia Brussow, said: “This whole business is beyond ridiculous!!!! It's become a political game!! Spitefull!”
Derby-Lewis was denied medical parole because he only had stage three B cancer, not stage four as stipulated in legislation, had not shown remorse, and as there was something suspicious about his medical records.
Masutha said the name on the pathologists' report was not Derby-Lewis's.
On Facebook, a woman calling herself Michelle Blackie said: “Shameful that Derby-Lewis has been denied. Shameful!!!!”
Paul Ludie Herrmannsen said: “This is double standards. If after 5 years of medical parole Schabir Shaik is still alive and well, having been released because he was terminally ill, then he should be sent back to prison to serve his sentence.”
Shaik, President Jacob Zuma's former financial advisor and a convicted fraudster, was released on medical parole in March 2009. He was sentenced to 15 years in jail in 2005 on two counts of corruption and one of fraud.
Shaik spent most of his time in jail in hospital due to high blood pressure, depression and chest pains.
Facebooker Herman 'H' Groenendaal said Derby-Lewis would probably be safer in prison.
Nthati Motsabi said: “We are lead by such a very cruel government, how can they do this to a human being, why can't they let bygons to be bygons, what happened to reconciliation”.
On Twitter, newly appointed News24 columnist Max du Preez said: “If Derby-Lewis cheated with hospital records as alleged he deserves to stay in jail much, much longer.”
Dineo Mohulo tweeted: “Both of them Derby Lewis & Eugene de Kock deserve to stay behind bars, finish & klar!”
Sapa