Moodley set to hear retrial decision

2012-02-01 09:03

Johannesburg - Convicted murderer Donovan Moodley will hear on Wednesday whether the South Gauteng High Court has granted his application for a retrial.

Last week, Judge Joop Labuschagne said he would consider the matter and would read through the relevant documents.

Moodley was found guilty in 2005 of the murder and kidnapping of university student Leigh Matthews, 21, and of extorting money from her father.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, 15 years for the kidnapping, and 10 years for the extortion.

Moodley began his application for a retrial last Wednesday. He has chosen to represent himself.

Moodley's argument rests on his claim that three Nigerian drug dealers named Frank, Allie and Jemba orchestrated the kidnapping and murder.

Moodley said former investigating officer Piet Byleveld forced him to say he had done it alone because he could not lead police to the others.

Prosecutor Zaais Van Zyl argued that Moodley had been given an opportunity to tell the court, during the original trial, whether he had been coerced into making the confession.

- SAPA