KZN prisoner’s hopes for political pardon dashed

FORMER ANC strongman Russel Ngubo’s attempt to receive a presidential political pardon hit a snag yesterday when Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha turned down his application.

Ngubo was one of 33 prisoners across the country who were waiting to hear if President Jacob Zuma would grant them a pardon. He was among 26 in KwaZuluNatal.

In 2010, 149 prisoners applied, but Masutha said the number had been whittled down to 33 as some did not qualify, while others had since been released on parole.

Former president Thabo Mbeki created the pardon, also known as a special dispensation, to cater for political offenders who had missed out on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission amnesty process.

Ngubo, who was the head of the New Prison in Pietermaritzburg when he was arrested, was sentenced to 25 years in jail in 2005 for the murder of IFP induna Ernest Nzimande in 1998.

He was also sentenced for another politically motivated murder and kidnapping.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court had found that Ngubo, who at the time was also an ANC councillor for Impendle, outside Pietermaritzburg, and other prison warders had ambushed Nzimande.

He was among those who met Masutha yesterday when he visited Westville Prison in Durban.

After the meeting with Masutha, Ngubo told The Mercury that he did not know whether his application would be considered or not.

“We were made to sign something, which I did not understand. I was never told whether I would be released or not. But I am confident that I will be released very soon,” said Ngubo.

He refused to answer further questions, saying: “Out of other prisoners who are here, why are you only interested in me?”

When asked whether Ngubo’s application would be considered, Masutha said Ngubo did not qualify because he was serving 25 years, and only those who were serving life sentences would be considered for the pardon.

However, Ngubo’s name appeared on the list of prisoners who had been invited to meet the minister yesterday.

The faxed invitation read: ”The regional commissioner cordially invites the remaining 26 offenders in our custody who applied for the presidential pardon.”

Masutha’s special adviser, Thando Tsetsewa, said Ngubo was among nine other prisoners who had been invited to meet the minister, although their application had been unsuccessful.

Tsetsewa said the prisoners whose applications would be considered included ANC, IFP, PAC, United Democratic Movement and Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging members.

Others who appeared on the KZN list included Sandile Gift Dlamini, who was sentenced to life for the murder of UDM leader Sifiso Nkabinde.