The man who was convicted for the brutal murder of FW de Klerk's ex-wife Marike de Klerk in 2001 is set to be released on parole. Luyanda Mboniswa will be released on 30 August after serving 21 years for de Klerk's murder, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed.

DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said Mboniswa was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances and housebreaking in May 2003. Mboniswa from Khayelitsha was only 21 years old when he committed the crime in 2001. He was working as a security guard at the complex de Klerk stayed at. "In compliance with the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998, Mboniswa was considered for parole placement having served the minimum required time," said Nxumalo, adding that the parole application was signed by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola as he has the power to decide the fate of prisoners serving life terms.

Mboniswa will be bound by parole conditions which he needs to adhere to, should he fail, he risks going back to prison. "To be emphasised, parole placement forms part of the total rehabilitation programme in correcting the offending behaviour and may include continuation of programmes in the system of community corrections. However, the parolee is forbidden from contacting the victim's family, "said Nxumalo, adding that "Mboniswa will be admitted into the system of community corrections, where he is expected to comply with specific set of parole conditions for the rest of his natural life. He will be assigned a monitoring official to render supervision duties."