We’ve grown somewhat used to stories of criminals not being dished up a decent serving of justice here in South Africa, so what makes the story of Omar Sabadia at all different?

Well, in his case justice was actually served, and it looked like the murderer would be forced to spend at least 35 years behind bars.

Fast forward just 22 years, and we’re left looking at a situation where he is just weeks away from being paroled out of Kgosi Mampuru Prison.

Carte Blanche covered this one on Sunday, and here’s their write-up:

Omar Sabadia made headlines in 1996 when he murdered his wife, Zahida, a medical student with three small children. The judge sentenced Sabadia to 50 years in prison and ordered that he serve a minimum of 35 years before parole could even be considered. Now after just 20 years in prison and despite his children’s objections, the parole board has granted his application and in just a few weeks, Sabadia will be out on parole. Carte Blanche asks: how did this happen?

We can’t embed their feature, but if you click on the image below you’ll be redirected to where you can watch the video in full:

At least it does look like there has been some action from the parole review board. IOL reports:

Wife killer Omar Sabadia will not walk out of the Kgosi Mampuru Prison on June 20 after it emerged that the Parole Review Board will review the decision to release him on parole.

The lawyer acting for Sabadia’s three children, Ahmed Suliman, said the Parole Board has given him an undertaking that Sabadia will not be released next week as previously believed.

The matter will now be reviewed after the children and the family of murdered Zahida Sabadia vehemently objected to his release.

Suliman was informed that the decision to place Sabadia on parole is suspended pending the decision of the review board.

Sabadia was informed that he had to submit written representations to the prison authorities by June 28, as to why he was entitled to parole.

His daughters are understandably relieved at the news, with Anjum Moosa saying the developments were “good news”.

22 years behind bars is a long, long time, but 35 seems somewhat more fitting.

[sources:carteblanche&iol]