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South African apartheid death squad leader granted parole

By JC Finley

PRETORIA, South Africa, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- A convicted death squad leader who gained notoriety as "Prime Evil" for abusing black activists during South African apartheid has been granted parole.

Eugene de Kock, 66, was convicted in 1994 on 89 charges that included kidnapping and murder while commander of the Vlakpaas police unit. He was sentenced to two life terms in prison and 212 years.

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Friday's parole announcement comes 20 years into his sentence and reflects South Africa's attempt to balance justice and reconciliation.

De Kock's release is "in the interests of nation-building," Justice Minister Michael Mautha said, noting the former police colonel had expressed remorse for his actions.

In the 1990s, de Kock testified before South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, confessing to over 100 acts of murder, torture and fraud. He he was pardoned for some offenses but not others.

While there are mixed feelings about his parole, one woman whose husband was murdered by de Kock has expressed support.

In Sandra Mama's view, de Kock acted on orders given by superiors who remain free. "They got away with it... and one man is taking the fall," she told the BBC, adding that it's time to move forward.

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"I think it will actually close a chapter in our history because we've come a long way, and I think his release will just once again help the reconciliation process because there's still a lot of things that we need to do as a country."

The justice ministry declined to make public the details of when and where de Kock's release will occur.

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