Scores of South Africans – including Chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron – are strongly opposing the latest parole bid of Donovan Moodley, the man who murdered Leigh Matthews more than 20 years ago.
On Monday, 15 September, the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board recommended the release of Moodley. This comes after several failed requests from the convicted murderer.
Their call has been met with backlash, particularly by the parents of the murdered woman.
IAN CAMERON: DONOVAN MOODLEY SHOULD NOT GET BAIL
On Monday, the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) approved the release of Donovan Moodley, who murdered Leigh Matthews in 2004.
In August 2005, Moodley was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for kidnapping, and 10 years for extortion. His sentence ran concurrently.
The news surprised many South Africans, who strongly opposed CSPB’s decision. Moodley’s parole approval will now be referred to the National Council for Correctional Services before the Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, makes the final decision.
Responding to the news, Ian Cameron, Chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Police, posted on X: “Donovan Moodley should NOT get parole. Her name is Leigh Matthews. Surely she deserved better.”
Others agreed that Moodley was not rehabilitated and that his release would disregard the victim’s family and would also send a message to offenders of violent crimes.
Granting Donovan Moodley parole without remorse or disclosure is not rehabilitation,it’s re-traumatization. For the Matthews family, it reopens wounds and denies closure, and for South Africans, it sends a chilling message: violent crime carries no real consequence.…
— E.L.A StoneAI (@ELAstoneAI) September 16, 2025
Why is the state even willing to grant such animals paroles? These are the types of People, who should rot in jail.
— Slaughter. (@BafanaSurprise) September 16, 2025
There is no way he should get parole. He is plainly a danger to society. Not to mention justice.
— gerdus stolp (@gerdusstolp) September 16, 2025
DONOVAN MOODLEY : WHAT HAPPENS DURING A PAROLE BID?
During a parole hearing – like the one attended by Donovan Moodley – the CSPB will evaluate recommendations made by professionals like psychologists and correctional officers, who determine the following;
- If the offender is remorseful for their actions
- If the offender has been rehabilitated and can be reintegrated into society
- The risk of the offender re-offending or posing a danger to the community
Thereafter, recommendations are referred to the National Council for Correctional Services, before the final decision rests with the Minister of Correctional Services.
WHAT HAPPENED TO LEIGH MATTHEWS?
In 2004, the naked body of Leigh Matthews was found after being kidnapped and murdered.
The Bond University student was just 21 years old.
Donovan Moodley pleaded guilty after confessing to shooting and killing Matthews. In 2005, Donovan was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for kidnapping, and 10 years for extortion.
However, shortly after his sentencing, Moodley did a shock turnaround, now claiming that he did not kill Leigh Matthews. He also claimed he was “framed”.
Image via Twitter:
@sabctindzaba
Moodley appealed the court’s ruling multiple times. His requests have been denied by the Gauteng High Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, and the Constitutional Court.
His request for a retrial – based on claims he was “framed” – was also denied.
Moodley – who has completed his LLB in prison – became eligible for parole in 2018.
