Parole Board Recommends That Killer Donovan Moodley Be Granted Parole

• Convicted murderer Donovan Moodley, who was imprisoned for the killing of Leigh Matthews, could be released on parole
• The Correctional Supervision and Parole Board met at the Leeuwkop prison to discuss his parole conditions
• However, Matthews' father, Robb, is not happy, and South Africans discussed the criminal justice system granting murderers parole

With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, commissions of inquiry, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

GAUTENG — The Correctional Supervision and Parole Board recommended that convicted killer Donovan Moodley be granted parole after serving time for murdering university student Leigh Matthews.

According to News24, the board held a hearing at the Leeuwkop Correctional Services in Sandton, Johannesburg. However, Leigh's family plans to oppose the parole recommendation as the case must still go through the National Council for Correctional Services. The family's attorney, Tania Koen, said that Leigh's parents, Rob and Sharon, could not attend the hearing as it was a traumatic experience for them.

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What happened to Leigh Matthews?

Moodley abducted and murdered Matthews in 2004 after he abducted her outside of Bond University on 9 July in Sandton, Gauteng. He demanded a ransom from her parents for her return. Her parents then paid him R50,000, but he killed her. A municipal worker found her body in a veld in Johannesburg South.

Moodley had accomplices who helped him commit the crime. However, during the trial, he refused to assist the South African Police Service with apprehending his accomplices. Moodley has also made multiple attempts at securing parole in the past.

Murderers who were granted parole

Luyanda Mboniswa, who murdered former President FW de Klerk's ex-wife in Cape Town in 2001, was granted parole after serving over 20 years for his crime. He was sentenced to two life sentences in 2003 after he murdered De Klerk in her Dolphin Beach apartment in Bloubergstrand.

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Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of the murder of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, was granted parole in November 2023. He was subsequently released from prison in January 2024. He underwent a pre-release programme where he was prepared for life outside of prison.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens opposed Moodley's parole.

Paul Mathai asked:

"What is the point of life sentences? Is it just to pander to society and shut them up for the time being?"

Gertrude Makhafola said:

"So much for life behind bars until he's 65."

Pat Waterloo said:

"Not nice for her family to see this happening."

Lindsay Manthey said:

"Not sure if this is a good idea."

Mrs B Awesome said:

"What's the point of a life sentence? He will go back to his old habits."

Former VBS CFO given parole

In a related article, Briefly News reported that VBS Mutual Bank's former Chief Financial Officer, Phillip Truter, was granted parole in 2024. This was after he served a portion of his ten-year sentence.

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Truter was sentenced to 10 years for his role in the looting of VBS Mutual Bank. Three years of his sentence were suspended.

Source: Briefly News