Kanya Cekeshe, #FeesMustFall activist, was released from jail in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
He is believed to be one of the prisoners that was granted remission of sentences for 12 months by President Ramaphosa. Kanya was sentenced in 2016 to 8 years in Leeuwkop Correctional Centre for burning a police vehicle during the fees must fall protests at the University of Witwatersrand.
Cekeshe is allegedly one of two high profile criminals that have been released from jail to spend Christmas at home, the other being AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo. Dalindyebo, who was released from the East London Correctional Centre served a 15-year jail sentence for kidnapping and other charges.
Chrispin Phiri, Department of Justice and Correctional Services spokesperson, said: “He was released in the early hours of the morning. Details of his release formed part of the department’s operational information and could not be revealed to the public. I can confirm that he will spend this morning at his home”
According to News 24, Cekeshe has been ordered to report to a police station twice a month after his release and he is not allowed to leave Gauteng without informing authorities.
His lawyer, Wikus Steyl, said “He is doing well and he is happy that he will spend Christmas with them after being away from them for years. He has missed two Christmas days while in custody and this time he is going to spend time with his loved ones”
