Convicted killer Donovan Moodley’s parole bid ‘deeply concerning’ – WMACA

Convicted murderer Donovan Moodley is expected to find out on Wednesday whether he will be granted parole at the Johannesburg prison.

Moodley was convicted and sentenced to life for the murder of Leigh Matthews.

He pleaded guilty to charges of murder, kidnapping and extortion, and was given life in prison.

Judge Joop Labuschagne, who presided over the case in the High Court in Johannesburg, found he must have had accomplices.

Moodley has refused to assist authorities with apprehending his co-conspirators.

Parole hearing

In January last year, he was denied parole but managed to have that decision set aside by the Gauteng High Court.

Moodley, who has been eligible for parole since 2018, turned to the court again to have his new parole hearing interdicted last week, but failed.

In his application to the Gauteng High Court, sitting in Johannesburg, Moodley said the Department of Justice and Correctional Services did not supply him with the documentation it aimed at using during his parole hearing.

Judge Stuart Wilson, at the time, ordered the parole board to hold a new hearing for Moodley by no later than 31 March.

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Danger to society

Meanwhile, Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) said it is “deeply concerning” to Leigh Matthews’ family that Moodley is appearing at a parole hearing once again.

Speaking to The Citizen, WMACA spokesperson Jade Kelmovitz said they hope Moodley is not released on parole.

“Suppose he does get parole, they would be very disappointed in the system. That would mean Leigh Mathews would have been let down by the system, because their daughter’s killers is now free. He’s got freedom, he’s able to live life outside of prison without even serving out his full term.

“For society as a whole… Who wants to have a convicted murderer roaming around the streets. I think he’s a dangerous man and poses threat to society, especially as he doesn’t show any kind of remorse. I don’t think he’s rehabilitated and it would not be the right thing to do,” Kelmovitz said.

Murder

Moodley abducted Matthews from Bond University in Sandton in 2004, and held her captive while demanding a ransom from her family.

After receiving R50 000 from Leigh’s father, Rob Matthews, Moodley shot her three times instead of letting her go.

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