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Lion death S African is released Lion death S African is released
(8 minutes later)
The South African man convicted of feeding one of his ex-workers to the lions has been freed on parole, after three years in jail.The South African man convicted of feeding one of his ex-workers to the lions has been freed on parole, after three years in jail.
Mark Scott-Crossley was originally given a life sentence for murder but this was reduced after a judge said there was no proof the man was alive.Mark Scott-Crossley was originally given a life sentence for murder but this was reduced after a judge said there was no proof the man was alive.
The remains of Nelson Chisale's body were found in the lion enclosure, causing a national outcry. The remains of Nelson Chisale's body were found in a Limpopo lion enclosure, causing a national outcry.
The case highlighted the racial tensions in rural South Africa. Trade unions, MPs and right groups have condemned Scott-Crossley's release.
Trade unions and MPs have condemned the release of Scott-Crossley. The case has highlighted the racial tensions in rural South Africa.
His lawyers says the release comes after he has served two-thirds of his sentence. Scott-Crossley's lawyers says the release comes after he served two-thirds of his sentence.
Family welcomeFamily welcome
Sarie Peens, the area's correctional services co-ordinator, said Scott-Crossley was moved on Thursday morning from a correctional facility in Barberton, where he was serving his sentence, to Bushbuckridge.Sarie Peens, the area's correctional services co-ordinator, said Scott-Crossley was moved on Thursday morning from a correctional facility in Barberton, where he was serving his sentence, to Bushbuckridge.
It is clear... that those who are rich and white will continue to be treated differently to those who are poor Cosatu statement
"He is now being placed under strict conditions on parole until completion of his sentence," Ms Peens told the South African Press Association (Sapa)."He is now being placed under strict conditions on parole until completion of his sentence," Ms Peens told the South African Press Association (Sapa).
Scott-Crossley's family was at the reintegration office to welcome him, Sapa reported.Scott-Crossley's family was at the reintegration office to welcome him, Sapa reported.
Mr Chisale was beaten up by Scott-Crossley and another worker after going to his home to collect belongings after being dismissed from his work on a farm in the Limpopo province in 2004. Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) official Jan Tsiane said the case shows that, 14 years after the end of apartheid, the criminal justice system remains biased towards the rich.
"It is clear... that those who are rich and white will continue to be treated differently to those who are poor," said Cosatu in a statement.
The chairperson of the parliamentary Correctional Services Committee, Dennis Bloem, says he will be writing to demand an official explanation for Scott-Crossley's early release, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reports.
The South Africa's Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights (SAPOHR) was similarly angered by the move, saying the "sudden release of a violent and racist offender... cannot be left unchallenged".
'Mass action'
SAPOHR President Miles Bhudu called for the release of all non-violent first time offenders, as well as prisoners who have served more than half their sentences, those older than 60, and the terminally ill.
Nelson Chisale was thrown into a white lion breeding groundNelson Chisale was thrown into a white lion breeding ground
He threatened "rolling mass action in prisons countrywide" by SAPOHR supporters in seven days if the government did not take action.
South Africa's Young Communist League said it was "deeply disturbed and outraged" by the release of "this monstrous killer".
Mr Chisale was beaten up by Scott-Crossley and another worker having returned home to collect belongings after being dismissed from his work on a farm in the Limpopo province in 2004.
The Appeals Court last year found there was no evidence that Mr Chisale had been alive when thrown into the lion enclosure, so Scott-Crossley could only be convicted of being an accessory to murder after the fact.The Appeals Court last year found there was no evidence that Mr Chisale had been alive when thrown into the lion enclosure, so Scott-Crossley could only be convicted of being an accessory to murder after the fact.
The other worker, Simon Mathebula, is serving a 15-year sentence for murder.The other worker, Simon Mathebula, is serving a 15-year sentence for murder.
Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) official Jan Tsiane said the case shows that, 14 years after the end of apartheid, the criminal justice system remains biased towards the rich, reports the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
SABC also reports that the chairperson of the parliamentary Correctional Services Committee, Dennis Bloem, says he will be writing to demand an official explanation for Scott-Crossley's early release.