Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha has announced the release of Clive Derby-Lewis from prison on parole.

On 29 May Judge Selby Baqwa ordered that Derby-Lewis be released on medical parole.

The Minister and the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board of Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre were required to determine parole conditions for the release of Derby-Lewis on medical parole by June 5.

The Minister and the parole board complied with the order of the North Gauteng High Court by the deadline.

“These parole conditions have been set and communicated to the offender. It is important to note that the offender is currently in hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment,” the department said in a statement issued on Friday.

Clive Derby-Lewis was incarcerated for the role he played in the murder of SA Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani. He has spent over 21 years in prison and has lung cancer which was detected after being stabbed.

Minister Masutha denied him parole in January on the grounds that his cancer was stage 3 and not stage 4. According to prison laws, cancer must be at stage 4 for medical parole to be considered.

The Minister also believed there was no proof of remorse on Derby-Lewis's part.

His lawyers then applied to the court for a review of the decision. The judge ruled in favour of Derby-Lewis.

The department said on Friday, the decision would be communicated to Limpho Hani and the SACP, who are both immediate victims and respondents in the matter.