Leigh Matthews: Donovan Moodley wants minister to show ‘Ubuntu’

Donovan Moodley – the man who kidnapped and murdered Leigh Matthews – is demanding parole based on the spirit of “Ubuntu.” This, after his fifth failed bid last month.

But her parents, Rob and Sharon, claim the move would be grave, as he is “extremely dangerous.”

Donovan  – who is studying law in prison – has now approached the Gauteng High Court in a bid to have his parole recommendations set aside.

In 2004, the naked body of the Bond University student was found after being kidnapped and murdered. Donovan pleaded guilty to murder, kidnapping, and extortion, after confessing to shooting and killing Leigh Matthews.

ALSO READ: Last Christmas behind bars for Oscar Pistorius, Donovan Moodley?

DONOVAN MOODLEY DEMANDS ‘UBUNTU’ OVER PAROLE BID

In 2005, Donovan Moodley was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for kidnapping, and ten years for extortion. Moodley’s sentence runs concurrently.

In 2021, 17 years after Leigh’s murder, IOL reported that Donovan Moodley was up for a parole hearing.

In January 2022, the family of Leigh Matthews hotly contested the process as part of their mediation. Ultimately, Moodley  – who claimed that his application was “not assessed fairly and objectively – was denied parole.

ALSO READ: Leigh Matthews’s dad on Oscar Pistorius parole: ‘System is broken’

Fast forward to March 2023, and Donovan is given another parole hearing. Again, he is unsuccessful. According to News24, the parole board recommended to Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola that Donovan should not be given an early release.

Rob Matthews says his daughter's killer is not entitled to parole. Donovan Moodley has been serving a life sentence for the 2004 kidnapping and murder of Leigh Matthews. #eNCA #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/1spaozPLsv

— eNCA (@eNCA) March 30, 2023

Donovan has now submitted court documents to the Gauteng High Court, asking the minister to show him “Ubuntu.” According to IOL, in his affidavit, the convicted criminal says – representing himself – said: “They (the minister and the other respondents) are pleaded (sic) to show ubuntu to me and only oppose (the) facts and not legal technicalities.

“I am aggrieved by the decision as I believe the decision does not comply with the peremptory provisions of just administrative action.”

Donovan has also asked that all documents be made available to him based on the decision not to grant him parole.

Following his 2005 conviction, Donovan Moodley has 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.

Donovan’s request for a retrial – based on claims he was “framed” – was also denied.

LEIGH MATTHEWS PARENTS REACT

Meanwhile, Leigh Matthews’s parents are adamant that Donovan Moodley does not deserve parole based on his “lack of accountability.”

They even go as far as to claim he is a “danger to society.” 

ALSO READ: Leigh Matthews parents: ‘Donovan Moodley has not changed’

He told News24: “Moodley is an extremely dangerous man.

“He needs to tell the truth about exactly what happened to Leigh. Over the years, he has had several versions. But according to the evidence, all those versions are wrong”.