Leigh Matthews' parents weigh options amid Donovan Moodley's potential release

The killer of Bond University student Leigh Matthews, Donovan Moodley, could be a step closer to freedom after the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board on Monday approved his release following his 20 years spent in prison.

But Tania Koen, the lawyer who represents the parents of Matthews, Rob and Sharon Matthews, said they are still considering their options following the news from the parole board.

It is not a given fact that Moodley will be released, as the minister of correctional services will have the final word. The department 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 presented the board with a victim impact report regarding Matthews’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 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.

Moodley turned to court two years ago after the parole board denied his release as it felt that he was not yet ready for life outside prison. In his application at the time he called on the board and the department to show him “ubuntu”.

Judge Stuart Wilson at the time ordered the parole board to hold a new hearing for Moodley. This was done and parole was vigorously opposed by Koen on behalf of the parents. 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 Matthews, 15 years for kidnapping and 10 years for extortion. He kidnapped Matthews, then 21, in 2004 and extorted R50 000 from her parents. He subsequently shot her four times before leaving her body in a veld. He pleaded guilty during his trial.

Moodley has completed his LLB degree while in prison and he represented himself previously in court when he challenged his previous two parole hearings which went against him.

Cape Times