The Department of Correctional Services rejects as yellow journalism reports that speculate the placement of Clive Derby-Lewis who is serving a life sentence for murder on parole in October 2010.
The reports are nothing but advocacy journalism aimed at putting pressure on normal processes of administering the parole system of the department, which must be rejected with contempt.
To put the record straight the department wishes to state that:
- Lifers are, by law, only granted or refused parole by the Minister of Correctional Services after applying her mind on the recommendations of the Parole Board and the National Council of Correctional Services. Claims of involvement of Justice Minister are just indications of malice or unjustifiable ignorance
- The process begins with the local Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) which makes recommendations to the National Council of Correctional Services that is led by a Judge for further consideration and submission to the minister
- The submission of the CSPB has not been served before the NCCS and may or may not be served before the advisory body in its October 2010 meeting
- The minister will only apply her mind and make a determination on the suitability or not of placing a lifer, in this case Mr Derby-Lewis, on parole after receiving the submission of the NCCS; and
- The Parole Review Board has absolutely nothing to do with lifers.
The department is planning to register a serious concern with the Press Ombudsman about this quality of journalism, which has developed a pattern, in particular on the matter of Mr Derby-Lewis' parole application.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Sonwabo Mbananga
Cell: 082 045 3963
