South Africa delays parole decision on 'Prime Evil' apartheid killer

Eugene de Kock, (L) an apartheid-era assassin nicknamed Prime Evil, appears at the Truth And Reconcilation Commission (TRC) amnesty hearing with his lawyer Schalk Hugo May 24.

PRETORIA (Reuters) - South Africa delayed a politically sensitive decision on whether to grant parole to apartheid death-squad leader Eugene de Kock, dubbed 'Prime Evil' for torturing and murdering black activists in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Justice Minister Michael Masutha told reporters on Thursday de Kock had "made progress" towards rehabilitation after 20 years behind bars but said the families of his victims had not been properly consulted.