Leigh: Suspect planning wedding
2004-10-07 16:25
Johannesburg - The father of Donovan Moodley, who is suspected of abducting and killing Johannesburg student Leigh Matthews, said on Thursday he did not believe his son was capable of killing the woman.
Stephen Moodley, who read a statement to reporters in Johannesburg, said: "My family and I are still in a state of shock and disbelief.
We do not believe that our son is capable of the deeds that he is accused of."
He said his family's concern was that their son be given a fair trial and that justice would be served.
"We love our son dearly. Donovan has given us no reason in the past to doubt his integrity."
He told reporters Donovan was a "kind and loving person, sporty and not capable of hurting anybody".
Donovan, 24, appeared in the Randburg magistrate's court for the first time on Wednesday.
He is facing charges of murder, kidnapping, extortion, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Family will accept the truth
He was arrested in Alberton on Monday morning, after nearly three months of intensive police investigations.
Donovan's father said the family would accept the truth "whatever it may be".
Moodley, who was a minister at the Baptist church in Brackenhurst in Alberton, has stepped down from his ministerial duties since Donovan's arrest.
He told reporters Donovan had helped him teach children on a Christian outreach programme.
In his statement Moodley asked God to grant grace "during this trying time both to the Matthews family and us".
An emotional Moodley then offered his condolences to the Matthews family.
"Whatever the outcome is, we do sincerely offer condolences to the Matthews family."
The family had had no indication that anything untoward might have happened in the last few months.
Planning for wedding
Donovan "was happily preparing for his wedding", Moodley said. He is engaged to his girlfriend of seven years.
She "is devastated, but fully trusts Donovan", he said.
Donovan's lawyer Louis Weinstein criticised the media for reporting on comments made by the investigating officer in the case, Piet Byleveld.
He added that comments by the police were conjecture.
Weinstein could not comment on whether Donovan had confessed to the police.
"I have not seen any statements the accused may have made."
If Donovan had made any statements to the police, Weinstein should receive these within the next day or two to allow him to prepare for the bail hearing.
Matthews disappeared from outside the university on
July 9 - the day before she was to have celebrated her 21st birthday.
Her body was found 12 days later by a municipal worker cutting grass in Walkerville, south of Johannesburg.
She had been shot.
- SAPA
