Madonsela to look into Derby-Lewis's medical treatment

Clive Darby-Lewis is the latest high-profile prisoner to be at the centre of a medical-parole controversy. Derby-Lewis, together with Janusz Walus, was convicted for the murder of SA Communist Party general secretary Chris Hani in 1993. He has served 18 years of a 25-year sentence, and has applied for parole on two previous occasions, but both applications were denied.

Now Derby-Lewis has reportedly filed a medical-parole application, a move that was roundly condemned by the SACP. He is currently being treated for both prostate and skin cancer. However, correctional services minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's office stated that she had not received an application for medical parole.

Cue a call for help to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela – everyone's favourite go-to girl – who has reportedly received an anonymous complaint relating to the denial of Derby-Lewis's latest parole application, as well as a follow-up enquiry from his wife, Gaye Derby-Lewis.

Madonsela told the SABC: “We are treating it as an early resolution matter. The way we deal with matters here is that I can use my investigative or dispute-resolution powers.” Mandonsela's facilitation resulted in Mapisa-Nqakula supplying Derby-Lewis with written reasons for the denial of his parole. And she is now set to have talks with the minister regarding his current medical treatment, as this was reportedly referred to in one of the complaints.

We hope Derby-Lewis is being afforded the requisite treatment for his illness; this doesn't mean we think he should be granted medical parole, if it has indeed been applied for. Some people may be quick to point to Schabir Shaik's release from prison on medical parole, but two wrongs don't make a right – not to mention the fact that corruption is a different order of magnitude to political assassination. DM