Apartheid death-squad leader Eugene de Kock, dubbed "Prime Evil" for his role in the torture and murder of black South African activists in the 1980s and early 1990s, was granted parole on Friday after 20 years in prison.


Justice minister Michael Masutha told a news conference that de Kock would be released "in the interests of nation-building" and because he had expressed remorse at his crimes and had helped authorities recover the remains of some of his victims.


Masutha said the time and date of de Kock's release would not be made public.