Kenny Motsamai says he plans to open a car wash after being released from prison. Photo Credit: mg
South Africa has granted one of its last remaining struggle prisoners, Kenny Motsamai, full parole after he served 27 years in prison for the murder of a white traffic officer in 1989 in the town of Rustenburg, north-west of Johannesburg.
The announcement by the prison authorities comes after a campaign by the Pan African Congress (PAC), of which Motsamai was a member, and civil rights organisations to have him released after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission denied him amnesty.
Correctional service department spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo confirmed Motsamai’s day parole was lapsing, but could only say the prisoner would be released pending the parole board’s decision.
“I’ll be free on the 11th,” Motsamai said last week.
The PAC said his release was a bittersweet moment as it reminded them of the many fighters still behind bars.
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WATCH #KennyMotsamai granted parole. He walks out and kisses the pavement.
MV pic.twitter.com/jnfrOZQ25d— Maryke Vermaak (@MarykeVermaak) January 11, 2017
It said the release proved how little was being done by the governing African National Congress (ANC) to ensure all those who fought for freedom were recognised.
Its spokesperson Kenneth Mokgatlhe said: “So we’re saying to the ANC that they must go back as they did during the government of President Thabo Mbeki because in that period we saw lots of our cadres being released and the issue was taken more seriously.”
He said it was shocking that 133 prisoners were still behind bars.
PAC supporters met at the Boksburg Correctional Services Centre, east of Johannesburg, for Motsamai’s release.
At the time of his arrest, then 26-year-old Motsamai was a member of the PAC’s armed wing, the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA).
Source: BBC Africa
