The recent decision by the parole review board to overturn the parole of children killer Marius van der Westhuizen has shocked many as he was expected to be released at the end of last month. Serving a 24-year sentence for the murder of his three minor children, van der Westhuizen was initially granted parole after his third attempt, with a release date of July 31, having served 13 years of his sentence.
However, the ministry of correctional services intervened, referring the matter to the parole review board under the Correctional Services Act. The decision to overturn his parole was welcomed by correctional services minister Pieter Groenewald, who emphasized the importance of reforming the parole system to protect society’s most vulnerable.
Van der Westhuizen’s heinous crime, which took the lives of his three children, Marius, Antoinette, and Bianca in 2006, shook the nation. The children were from different marriages, highlighting the tragic impact of his actions on multiple families.
TimesLIVE