Leigh: Family ready for answers

2005-07-24 22:10

Yvonne Beyers

Johannesburg - On Monday, a year and four days since the body of Leigh Matthews, 21, was discovered 12 days after her mysterious disappearance, her family will finally be able to start getting some answers.

It is expected that Court 2A of the Johannesburg high court will be packed to capacity when Donovan Moodley, 24, takes the steps from the court's holding cells to the dock under the watchful eyes of armed guards.

When Moodley pleads shortly after 14:00 before Judge Joop Labuschagne to charges of murder, abduction and extortion, his status will change from that of awaiting-trial prisoner to the only accused in the murder case that has gripped the country.

Advocate Johan Pretorius, Moodley's legal representative, said on Sunday Moodley was neither tense nor relieved that his long-awaited trial was finally about to begin.

"He's just very quiet," Pretorius said.

Strategy

According to Pretorius, there is no "strategy" for Moodley's trial, and his legal team would "decide on Monday what to do".

He dismissed rumours that Moodley would break his silence before the start of the trial and talk to the media.

On Sunday, Matthews' father, Rob, was reluctant to say how the family was feeling on the eve of the trial, saying they would "simply take things as they come".

Colin Flatau, a friend of the Matthews family, said the family was "fairly strong" and just wanted the trial "over and done with".

"They just want to move on (with their lives)."

Makhosini Nkosi, spokesperson for the national prosecuting authority, said the charge sheet for Moodley's trial has not changed since the state amended it last week.

- Beeld