Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Revenge will not bring anyone back from the dead !!

Eugene de Kock 
I am so sick and tired of hearing about how many thousands of people Eugene de Kock killed and how evil he was. In the context of the time, it was war.  A war is fought on two sides (normally) - one group against another; one group trying to get something more from another group and the other group defending what they have.  

There were no innocent parties and there were no innocent parties.  We were all responsible.  

The war is over.   Revenge will not bring anyone back from the dead.  The fortunate soldiers were welcomed home by their families.  And the land is still struggling to get onto its feet.

Keeping Eugene de Kock in prison is not only unlawful (in my opinion, and which you would agree with if you have followed his story with an open mind) with reference to his but it is also morally corrupt decision.  It certainly is not equality before the law for all.  The only obvious reasons that he is still in prison are:
  • Ø  Incompetent officials of the Department of Correctional Services
  • Ø  Incompetence or indifference from the past and present  Ministers of the Department of Correctional services
  • Ø  Eugene de Kock is being used as a political football for an as yet, unknown modus operandi
  • Ø  Keeping him in prison is keeping those who are also guilty safe from prosecution
  • Ø  Lack of finances for legal applications to overturn unfair decisions

The only right thing to do, given the circumstances of the past and the present, and excusing the mistakes made by the TRC, as well as those who were involved in his prosecution, is a Presidential Pardon.  Eugene de Kock was singled out and was not given the opportunity of being treated equally before the law.   President Zuma can by-pass all the red tape and free this man in 5 minutes. 

I appeal to President Zuma to give Eugene de Kock a Presidential Pardon on the grounds of compassion, and in a spirit of reconciliation.  

Let the past stay in the past and let us move forward to a brighter future by doing the right thing today.


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