Family of Leigh Matthews hits out at parole board for recommending her killer’s release

The family of slain university student Leigh Matthews has accused the correctional supervision and parole board of ignoring crucial information before making a recommendation in her killer’s favour.

On Monday, the board recommended Donovan Moodley’s release on parole.

Moodley was convicted of 21-year-old Matthews’s abduction and murder in 2004.

He has been serving a life sentence since 2005.

Moodley has been before the parole board multiple times over the last 20 years, but has not been successful in securing an early release.

On Monday, the board sat and made a recommendation for his release.

Matthews’s father, Rob, has questioned this decision.

“They only had a profile for Mr Moodley for a year and a half for the time he was at Leeuwkop prison. They didn’t have his profile for a period of some 18 and a half years, where there is a whole history of misdemeanour of threats and allegations.”

Matthews claims that over the years, Moodley threatened his family and claimed the family had organised hits on him in prison.

While the board has recommended Moodley’s release, it must still be considered by the National Council for Correctional Services and, ultimately, the minister.

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