Donovan Moodley asks Justice Minister to ‘show ubuntu’ as he makes another bid for freedom

Convicted murderer Donovan Moodley is making another request to be released on parole after being denied in January 2022, and then again in March 2023.

In 2005, Moodley admitted to abducting Sandton-based Bond University student, Leigh Matthews, and holding her hostage while demanding ransom money from her family.

Leigh’s father, Rob Matthews, had paid R50 000 for her safe return, but instead, Moodley shot her three times and placed her body in an open field in Walkerville in the South of Johannesburg.

Moodley, after pleading guilty, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for kidnapping, and 10 years for extortion.

ALSO READ: Leigh Matthews’ killer Donovan Moodley denied parole

Moodley wants Lamola to apply spirit of ubuntu

In court papers seen by The Citizen, Moodley describes himself as a ‘layman’ asking the South Gauteng High Court to review the parole board’s latest decision.

Moodley, who turned 43 this month, also pleaded with the respondents, which includes Justice and Correctional services Minister Ronald Lamola, to apply the African notion of ubuntu as he reviews the matter.

“They are pleaded to show ubuntu to me and only oppose on facts and not legal technicalities,” said Moodley.

Moodley has also ‘begged and pleaded’ for the minutes of the last parole hearing be submitted within 15 days, because “they [respondents] took 60 days in the last review”.

“The applicant begs and pleads with the respondents to file the ‘record’ within 15 days as per Rule 53(1)(b) of the Uniform Rules of Court and not to subject him to cruel delays as was done in the previous review.”

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“I’m not sure why this sudden urgency instead of allowing the processes to take place,” said Matthews.

Crucially, Moodley had also asked the court to exercise its inherent jurisdiction and come to his aid should the need arise. “I humbly submit that this would be in the interest of justice and the public,” he says.

The Correctional Supervision and Parole Board had recommended that Moodley be given a further profile because he was not recommended for parole placement.

“I am aggrieved by the decision as I believe the decision does not comply with the peremptory provisions of just administrative action,” said Moodley.

The Matthews family together with their lawyer, Tania Koen, have also submitted their input regarding the new parole review and is awaiting the outcome.

ALSO READ: Leigh Matthews: Parole-seeking murderer is a ‘monster’

Background to Moodley’s parole application

The convicted murderer was denied parole for a second time last month after a lengthy process facilitated between him and Leigh’s parents at the Johannesburg Correctional Services Centre.

But according to the Matthews family, Moodley had once again changed his version of the mysterious events surrounding Matthews killing.

In his last application, Moodley claimed that he shot Leigh because she was screaming. Her father refuted this claim saying it is yet another version among many different versions that Moodley has presented to fit the current circumstances.

“The fact that he continues to lie and change his mind about what happened further solidifies the fact that he has not been rehabilitated, is unremorseful, and therefore should not be integrated back into society.”

Mathews said the true motive for the killing, the real course of events, and the identity of his accomplices are questions that have not yet been truthfully answered after all these years.

“Leigh would have turned 40 this July,” her father said.

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