Sunday, January 25, 2015

Open letter to President Zuma to pardon Eugene de Kock

Sunday, 25 January 2015

For Attention: President Jacob Zuma

The Presidency

Pretoria

Email: presidentRSA@po.gov.za

Your Excellency

REQUEST FOR PRESIDENTIAL PAROLE FOR EUGENE DE KOCK

We beg for a Presidential Pardon for Eugene de Kock, solely on humanitarian grounds. We are not excusing his actions, nor do we use it as motivation for a pardon. De Kock pleaded guilty on all the charges against him. He showed remorse and begged the affected families for their forgiveness, which he received from all but one. He accepted his punishment like a man of integrity and is not a danger to anyone in society. We believe that a pardon will not only allow de Kock to live his old age as a free man, but will also be able to contribute positively to the healing process of all South Africans which is absolutely necessary for the prosperity of all who call SA home. We further believe that such a pardon from the President will cement his prestige as world statesman. This would be an act of humanity, from the heart of a great man and warrior.

While due process is taking place regarding Eugene de Kock’s parole, you are the only person who can set him truly free with a Presidential Pardon. As Mandela himself said, there is no such thing as half-free. You are either free or you are not. Parole with conditions is half-free.

For the love of justice, compassion, forgiveness and for reconciliation of our land, I beg you to consider a Presidential Pardon for him.

Yours truly,

Dianne Lang