Krugersdorp’s ‘Samurai Killer’ Morne Harmse released on parole

It has been 14 years since Morne Harmse walked into his school and committed a horrific crime. The then 18-year-old killed a classmate and injured three others, using a samurai sword.

Psychological assessments on Harmse prove to be worrying

Despite psychological assessments that found Harmse to be a danger to society, he has been released on parole. Jacques Pretorius was just 16 years old when Harmse slashed his neck, killing him instantly.

According to eNCA, family spokesperson Leonie Pretorius stated that Harmse has shown no remorse for his actions.

“Even at the parole hearing. There’s just no emotions. He just doesn’t care.”

In 2008, Harmse underwent a psychological assessment that determined he was fit to stand trial. The report stated that there was nothing to indicate mental illnesses. Another report produced at his parole hearing in 2019, found that his mental health has since deteriorated.

ALSO READ: End or extend: When will Ramaphosa address SA on the State of Disaster?

The psychological report found that Harmse experiences hallucinations. He has been involved in numerous violent incidents, has been diagnosed with a serious psychiatric condition and is prone to self-harm. The report concluded that his release into society would be “highly reckless”.

Speaking more on Harmse, Pretorius believes he is dangerous. She stated that the man, now in his 30s, has not been rehabilitated. She added that one cannot have trust in the Correctional Services Department’s decisions.

The Department of Correctional Services stands by its decision

National Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services Singabakho Nxumalo stated that they don’t just look at one report. Nxumalo said that everything is looked at together in order to make an educated decision.

“You do not just take one particular view. Do I take the social worker’s view or the psychologist’s view or the case manager’s view and say who has more substance than the other? It doesn’t work that way. You ought to look at everything in its entirety and then make a decision.”

The Department has ensured the community that they are safe. It reiterated that the decision would not be made unless they knew the community is safe, that Harmse could be closely monitored and that he has a support system.

Nxumalo stated that Harmse was assessed numerous times before his release on parole. He explained that Harmse appeared before the parole board eight times. Harmse was denied for the first seven attempts as he had ‘programmes’ he needed to attend.

ALSO READ: Goodbye English? Big language changes scheduled for SA schools!