NUMSA statement on the Star's article on parole for Clive Derby-Lewis

13 April 2011

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) notes the article carried in today's edition of The Star newspaper that the late SACP General Secretary Cde Chris Hani's killer, Clive Derby-Lewis, is being considered for parole by Parole Board as per the announcement of the Ministry of Correctional Services Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

If indeed these pronouncements by the Minister Mapisa-Nqakula are correct, they are a direct assault to the workers and the poor who believed, admired and loved Cde Chris Hani as a leader of our people. Both Clive Derby-Lewis and Janusz Walus must rot in jail unless they disclose who else was part of the broader heinous conspiracy to assassinate  our beloved General Secretary and leader of our people Cde Hani.

We are vehemently opposed to the granting of any parole to Clive Derby-Lewis or Janusz Walus even if it means we have to go to the streets in protest to register our objection.

We re-affirm our call for the establishment of the judicial commission of inquiry on the full circumstances that led to the heinous assassination of Cde Chris Hani. Cde Hani remains a symbol of hope on the many class struggles waged by the working class for fair and equitable distribution of income at the point of production.

Statement issued by Castro Ngobese, NUMSA National Spokesperson, April 13 2011

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