Evilina Moloi's chance for freedom after nearly 30 years

A WOMAN who was sentenced more than 29 years ago to 60 years' imprisonment, with the judge ordering at the time that she had to serve at least 50 years behind bars before she is even considered for parole, has a flickering of hope that she may be released soon.

- ZELDA VENTER

Come January next year, Evilina Moloi will have been in jail for three decades. She has, over the years, tried to appeal this non-parole period stipulated by the now deceased judge.

Moloi was faced with obstacles such as missing court records and limited legal support.

However, a full bench (three judges) of the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, eventually came to her rescue and ordered that the part of the late judge's order that she must remain in jail for at least 50 years be deleted from his judgment.

The court made it clear that the determination of when a prisoner should be released on parole is up to Correctional Services to determine, and not up to the sentencing judge.