Parole decision deferred for apartheid hitman in South Africa

South African justice minister Michael Masutha delayed on Thursday a parole decision for 'Prime Evil' apartheid-era death-squad leader Eugene de Kock, saying families of his victims had not been properly consulted about his possible release.

However, Masutha told a news conference that de Kock, who was sentenced to 212 years in jail in 1996, had "made progress" towards rehabilitation during his two decades behind bars. He committed to making a final decision within a year.