De Kock parole application denied

Johannesburg - Former Vlakplaas commander Eugene de Kock's parole application has been denied, it was reported on Wednesday.

The correctional services department said it would reconsider the application in 2014, Beeld reported.

De Kock, 63, was jailed in 1996 for two life terms plus 212 years after being found guilty on 89 charges including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, assault, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms and fraud.

In reaching his decision on parole, Correctional Services Minister Sbu Ndebele considered advice from National Council for Correctional Services chairperson Siraj Desai and two other judges, the department's deputy head commissioner James Smalberger told the newspaper on Tuesday.

"The minister decided last week that he would reconsider the [De Kock's] application in a year's time," he reportedly said.

Since December last year, Ndebele has been considering 348 parole applications by life term prisoners.