Decision on rearrested Waterkloof killers hoped for ‘within 72 hours’
PRETORIA: The rearrest of Frikkie du Preez and Christoff Becker, two of the Waterkloof four, has highlighted corruption in South African prisons and that almost anything is available for those who can afford to pay.
Preferential treatment continues to be given to offenders who are wealthy, the Corrections and Civil Rights Movement (CCRM) said yesterday.
“This kind of special treatment for certain offenders who are connected politically, socially, economically and (are) otherwise rich is absolutely nothing new,” said CCRM president Golden Miles Bhudu.
Du Preez and Becker were rearrested on Sunday just days after being released on parole. Correctional Services has launched an investigation into how the pair came to allegedly have a cellphone and alcohol in their cell, which is illegal.
Becker, Du Preez, Gert van Schalkwyk and Reinach Tiedt were released last Tuesday after being jailed for beating a homeless man to death in Pretoria in 2001.
Du Preez and Becker’s alleged antics in jail just days before being released ended up on YouTube, sparking an outcry.
Olaf de Meyer, lawyer for Du Preez, is in negotiations with the department, but said they wouldn’t act at this stage.
“They have 72 hours in which to hold the two and we will then decide on the way forward.
“We have no idea what the charges, if any, are and we know nothing about the claims against the two – only what we read in the newspapers,” said De Meyer.
He added that in his opinion, the pair did not break any of their parole conditions.
Pretoria lawyer Julian Knight told the Cape Times’s sister newspaper, Pretoria News, that in theory the pair could face charges for transgressing the rules of the department while incarcerated. He said it had to be proved that the pair were in fact drinking alcohol while in prison.
“The department is entitled to revoke their parole if it can be proved that they indeed did transgress the rules, which include that they allegedly had a cellphone with which they made the video.”
Knight said in his opinion it would be an internal matter which would not result in criminal charges.
Correctional Services spokesman Manelisi Wolela said they would not provide further comment on the matter, considering that an investigation was under way.
He said the department aimed to conclude the investigation within 72 hours. However, due to the complexity of the matter, this time limit could be extended.