He was found guilty of possession of a dangerous weapon and public violence in 2016. He also took part in burning a police van.
Cekeshe also lied in court when he said”
“I pleaded guilty because I was advised by my lawyers to do so, however I still maintain my innocence. I pleaded to the minor charges and they withdrew their other ten charges. The decision was taken to confuse the enemy, I pleaded guilty to go home instead of a prison cell. We believe in free education, students must continue to fight for a free, decolonial education.”
Kanya Cekeshe
Earlier today Cekeshe’s family said they can confirm that he will be released soon.
This comes after President Ramaphosa said today that some prisoners will qualify for a lighter sentence as part of reconciliation day.
8.99% of the more than 165,000 prisoners currently in jail will be eligible for the waiver.
The people who have been released are among other prisoners who served his or her sentence, released on parole and still under correctional supervision, or on medical parole.
Former presidents. Thabo Mbeki (2005) and Jacob Zuma (2012) also granted presidential waivers.
The minister said the waiver would help ease the pressure on the country’s prisons.
“Our prisons should not just be seen as buildings used to keep criminals away from the community. It is also a center where offenders participate in programs to be rehabilitated, ”Lamola said.
“We admit that it is often difficult and a challenge to strike a balance between forgiveness and justice.
“As a country, we are proud of our correctional system, which aims not only to punish, but also to rehabilitate perpetrators, protect the public, promote social responsibility and develop perpetrators in such a way that they do not reinstate them. does not commit crime, ”the minister said.
