BREAKING: Hani killer Clive Derby-Lewis dies
Clive Derby-Lewis, the mastermind behind the assassination of Chris Hani - has died after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 80.
His wife Gaye confirmed the news on Thursday.
Derby-Lewis was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1993 - after being convicted of orchestrating the murder of SACP leader, Chris Hani, in April 1993.
Hani was shot in the head and back outside his Dawn Park home near Boksburg, by Polish immigrant, Janusz Walus.
Derby-Lewis supplied the gun Walus used to murder Hani.
ALSO READ: Chris Hani killer, Janusz Walus granted parole
The former right-wing politician was released from a Pretoria prison on medical parole in June last year, after doctors discovered he was suffering from terminal cancer. He was placed under house arrest with strict conditions.
He had previously been denied medical parole three times - in 2000, 2011 and 2013 respectively - before obtaining a High Court order granting him a release, in 2015.
He died at his Johannesburg home, with his former-nun wife by his side.
ALSO READ: SACP welcomes SCA decision in the parole application of Hani murderer Janusz Walus
Derby-Lewis grew up in Kimberley, before moving to Johannesburg where he practised as an accountant. He later became a minister in the Catholic Church.
News of his death has sparked mixed reactions on social media - most of them negative.
"The best kept secret, is kept in the grave"#CliveDerbyLewis pic.twitter.com/FcEj7bFMhh
— S O B A H L E (@pearl_makhunga) November 3, 2016
Clive Derby - Lewis should rot in hell. No sympathy for that rightwinger who took us to the brink of genocide. His death is celebrated
— EFF Superfighter (@sibilanga99) November 3, 2016
Assassin Clive Derby-Lewis is dead. He killed one of our most dedicated Leaders. We will never forget you Chris Hani pic.twitter.com/3t0zEV9cBM
— Kim Heller (@kimheller3) November 3, 2016
Clive Derby-Lewis has died today with the truth about Comrade Chris Hani's assassination.
— Propaganda Machine (@LiesWeNeed) November 3, 2016
Who am I to wish Clive Derby-lewis hell. Only God can do that.
— Mmabatho Nkoana (@Rixmix_sa) November 3, 2016
I suspect there will be strongly mixed feelings from certain corners of the population at the news that Clive Derby-Lewis has died.
— Steve Bhengu (@SteveBhengu) November 3, 2016
RIP #CliveDerbyLewis as much as what he did was not right, he served his time. Pity Shabir Shaik gets out on medical parole but not Clive...
— Kyle (@calasite) November 3, 2016
State was so heartless on Clive Derby- Lewis, thers one thing we gotta know " all lives matter "
— Siphe Ka Nompumza (@quard_ycool) November 3, 2016