THE Young Communist League is appalled by attempts to secure parole for Clive Derby-Lewis, who was jailed for the murder of its general secretary Chris Hani.

"We reiterate that Clive Derby-Lewis' release will be a travesty of justice," it said in statement.

It was responding to a weekend report that Derby-Lewis could be released.

The YCL joined Cosatu, which said it was concerned about the report in the Saturday Star headlined: "Hani killer to walk free".

Hani was shot in the head as he stepped from his car outside his home in Dawn Park, Boksburg, on April 10 1993 by Polish immigrant Janusz Walus, using a pistol lent to him by Conservative Party MP Derby-Lewis.

Six months later Walus and Derby-Lewis were convicted of murder and conspiracy to commit murder and were sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life imprisonment in 1995.

Weekend reports said the parole board had recommended for a second time that Derby-Lewis be freed. With a decision expected next month he could be out by Christmas.

His last application for parole was dismissed by the Pretoria high court in March last year.

Cosatu said it backed the SA Communist Party's view that Derby-Lewis should not be paroled unless and until he had fully disclosed the identities of all those involved in Hani's murder.

Correctional Services dismissed as "false" the Saturday Star's claim that a decision on parole would be made next month.