Leigh Matthews’ killer Donovan Moodley moves closer to parole

Donovan Moodley, the man convicted of murdering Bond University student Leigh Matthews, is now one step closer to freedom after the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board approved his release on Monday, following 20 years in prison. 

However, Tania Koen, the lawyer representing Leigh's parents, Rob and Sharon Matthews, said  they are still weighing their options in light of the parole board's decision.

It is not a given fact that Moodley will be released, as the minister of correctional services will have the final word. The department on Monday highlighted that the parole process for offenders serving life sentences follows several distinct phases.

The matter is first assessed by the Case Management Committee, followed by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board. Thereafter, recommendations are referred to the National Council for Correctional Services, before the final decision rests with the minister, it said.

Koen meanwhile was one of the lawyers present on Monday to oppose the granting of parole and she said they did present the board with a victim impact report regarding Leigh’s parents.

“Rob and Sharon did not feel up to attending the hearing, as they are emotionally drained. This is the third time the board considered parole,” Koen said.

While the parents are distraught about the news, Koen said just as Moodley has the right - which he exercised in the past to challenge the findings of the parole board in not granting him parole - so do the victims - the parents in this case.

She, however, could not say at this stage if and what steps they will take.

Koen added that it is disturbing that Moodley refused then access to his latest profile, which include inputs by experts regarding whether he has rehabilitated. "This is a concern to us. We applied to be given access to his profile because the victims need to know whether he has rehabilitated. But he denied us this right”. 

Koen said it is further concerning that his latest profile only stretched over the past 18 months as he was moved to Leeukop Prison in Johannesburg during this time.

Judge Stuart Wilson at the time ordered the parole board to hold a new hearing for Moodley.  Parole was for the second time denied at the time, but it was third time lucky for Moodley on Monday, who now has to await the final word from the minister.

Moodley was sentenced to life imprisonment on August 4, 2005 for the murder of Leigh, 15 years for kidnapping and 10 years for extortion. He kidnapped Leigh, then 21, in 2004 and extorted R50 000 from her parents. He subsequently shot her four times before leaving her body in the veld. He pleaded guilty during his trial.

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