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Masutha clarifies procedure on Pistorius parole review

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Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Michael Masutha says he cannot dictate to the Correctional Supervision Parole Review Board as to when they should review Oscar Pistorius’ parole decision.

Speaking in an interview on Morning Live Masutha says the board will have to make the decision as to when they will meet to discuss the issue.

On Wednesday Masutha said that he had referred Pistorius’ parole decision which would have seen him released on Friday back for review.

Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide for the death of Eastern Cape model Reeva Steenkamp who would have turned 32 on Wednesday.

The Minister says the latest developments in the Pistorius matter are common in the Department of Correctional Services.

“I deal with at least 10 % of parole applications; I reject a significantly large percentage of the applications that are brought to my attention for various reasons. I am trying to inculcate a culture to not cut corners, to adhere to the prescripts of the law. The only difference is that this case does not involve life imprisonment so ordinarily it wouldn’t have reached my desk, say for the fact that the matter was brought to my attention in the manner that it was.”

Masutha also adds that he did not take the decision based on pressure received from the Progressive Women Movement of South Africa.

He says the petition from the women’s rights group will not have any influence on decisions made in the case.

“Ordinarily the decisions of the parole board in cases such as this are final the only matters that are brought before me are matters involving people who are serving life sentences and I get to make a decision whether or not to grant parole in those instances however it is a matter brought to my attention and I am convinced a decision has not been made correctly I have an obligation, under the law to deal with the matter accordingly.”

He says Pistorius’ parole decision was take prematurely and in contravention of the law.

Click below to watch the full interview:

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