One of South Africa's longest-serving political prisoners Kenny Motsamai's long-awaited release from prison was put on hold after he refused to adhere to his day parole conditions.

Motsamai's fiancé Mantombi Magagula, and his daughter Busi, accompanied by PAC and EFF members, poet Mzwakhe Mbuli and self-proclaimed prophet Paseka "Mboro" Motsoeneng, were at Boksburg Prison to await his release.

Instead, the crowd was told that Motsamai, an ex-Azanian People's Liberation Army (Apla) commander, had refused to sign parole papers that had conditions and at noon was taken back to his cell.

Magagula and her daughter cried on hearing the news.

Busi earlier told Sowetan that one of his father's parole conditions was that he would be released daily at 7am but had to return to the prison at 4pm. The family had slaughtered a goat and prepared a feast for a reception at their home in Katlehong on the East Rand.

"We are hurting and disappointed that he is not coming home. Our relatives and friends from as far as Botswana are at home waiting for him.

Our government has failed us after Motsamai and his comrades fought for the liberation of this country.

Today they are in parliament because of his contribution. Kenny is unemployed. Where will he get money to travel from jail and home daily?" Mantombi asked.

EFF Gauteng leader Mandisa Mashego said they had raised the matter in the legislature and in parliament where Justice Minister Michael Masutha had assured them all political prisoners would be released, including Motsamai.

"[Apartheid death squad commander] Eugene de Kock has been released and Motsamai and other freedom fighters are [still] in jail.

"Motsamai has been denied the right to raise his daughter. This is disgusting," Mashego said.

"We know that he [Masutha] has no intention of releasing Motsamai. It is evident that he [Masutha] is not honest.

"All ANC presidents have never shown a genuine commitment to releasing political prisoners."

Mbuli said: "I support Busi and her family. It is unthinkable for a person to spend 27 years in jail. We are not free when other freedom fighters are in jail. Not a single person is in jail because of apartheid atrocities."

Motsamai was 26 years old when he was jailed for the murder of a white traffic officer in Rustenburg, North West, during an Apla-sanctioned robbery in 1989.

His death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment after the advent of democracy.

ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za