The double standards which apply with regards to Clive Derby-Lewis are unacceptable and seriously reflect on correctional services and the ANC.

Why is it necessary to obtain a court order to ensure that Derby-Lewis receives medical treatment in jail?

Judge Neil Tuchten yesterday issued such an order in order to prevent a neglected injury of Derby-Lewis turns gangrenous and he runs the risk of losing his leg.

Derby-Lewis, at the age of 74 meets all the prerequisites to receive parole. The objections against parole of other political parties do not hold any merit.

Derby-Lewis was found guilty of a serious crime, i.e. the murder of Chris Hani. His crime however does not differ at all from Robert McBride, the white wolf, Barend Strydom or of the 22 000 ANC members of the ANC who, even before the Truth Commission sat for the first time, had all been released. The test which had applied to these people was whether they had a political crime as motive for the crime. Derby-Lewis had no other motive other than politics.

With the Record of Understanding during the negotiations in 1993, a further 126 ANC prisoners, which had committed very serious crimes such as murder and necklace murders, were set free. During the Truth Commission process, which only started after the release of the prisoners, all manner of new obstacles, based upon the Norgard principles were applied to refuse amnesty for Derby-Lewis. He meets these Norgard principles as well as the normal parole requirements which apply to non-political prisoners of his age. Yet, he is refused parole. It is double standards which have to be condemned, regardless of the emotions which accompany the Hani-murder.