The family of Leigh Matthews has called for an open parole hearing for convicted murder Donovan Moodley.
This follows a statement by the family on 21 June alleging that members of the Matthews family had been contacted by correctional services for mediation.
During a press conference in Sandton on 22 June, non-profit organisation Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) noted that the Matthews family was opposing the parole hearing itself and also the processes involved.
According to WMACA head of advocacy Luke Lamprecht, the Department of Correctional Services’ restorative justice processes do not take the victims and affected families into consideration.
“None of us as citizens made a social contract to participate in a predetermined process to release murderers and rapists who are not rehabilitated and remorseful back into our communities,” said Lamprecht.
Spokesperson for the Department for Correctional Service, Logan Maistry has, however, confirmed to the Chronicle that no parole hearing for the inmate in question had been scheduled as yet.
Matthews was murdered in 2004 after her family paid for her ransom.
Moodley was convicted for her murder and sentenced to life in prison in August 2005.
He was also handed an additional 15 years for kidnapping and 10 years for extortion.
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