Kenny Motsamai 'happy to be free'
Emotional scenes played out outside Correctional Services in Boksburg as former Azanian People's Liberation Army member Kenny Motsamai was released on parole yesterday.
Motsamai has spent nearly 28 years in prison for the murder of a traffic officer in Rustenburg during the apartheid struggle.
A relieved Motsamai walked out of the gates to the sound of his wife ululating. He hugged her and their children and kissed the pavement outside the Department of Correctional Services.
Motsamai was a clearly relieved man.
"Fighters, I'm happy to be free even though there are comrades who are still behind bars. I'm pleased and happy to see you supporters," said Motsamai.
The Department of Correctional Services says it is important to note that parole placement for Motsamai does mean the end of his sentence.
"He was transferred to the Community Corrections Office which will supervise and monitor him as he will be serving the remainder of his sentence in the community. In fact, this is a conditional release for Mr Motsamai from a correctional centre into the community prior to the expiration of his entire sentence," says spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.
Nxumalo says Motsamai's parole conditions were explained to him in the presence of his lawyers and he duly accepted them.
"These conditions allows Mr Motsamai to seek employment or start his own business. Further to this, some of the conditions compels Mr Motsamai not to change work or place of residence without prior consent of the Head of Community Corrections. It is important for parolees not to commit any offence while placed on parole," says Nxumalo.