Moodley's family stand by him
2005-07-26 08:09
Johannesburg - The lives of the Moodley family of Alberton will never be the same again.
A little over a year ago, no one would have guessed that their only son, Donovan, 25, would be found guilty of abduction, extortion and murder.
He was actively involved in the congregation where his father was the pastor, he was an ace volleyball player and he kept fit by visiting the gym regularly in the mornings.
Little did the Moodleys know that their son was also planning to abduct one of his co-students at the Bond University. And later, to murder her.
Unfortunate prey
He was looking for money, and the 21-year-old Leigh Matthews was his unfortunate prey.
Moodley's father, Stephen, and his sister, Michal, yesterday attended court in the company of other family members and friends to support their son, brother, cousin and friend.
They took their seats two rows from the front and were rather upset when a court official initially refused to allow them to secure all the seats in the court during lunchtime.
Next to Yeshika Singh, Moodley's fiancée, sat Magalingam Pillay, his brother-in-law, and Michal, his sister. And next to Michal, her father Stephen.
Still wearing her engagement ring
Singh never once faltered or cried.
She stared intently at the man in front of her who she most likely would have married this year - Donovan Moodley. She was still wearing her engagement ring.
For Michal Pillay, her brother's acknowledgement of guilt came as a surprise. From the time the word "guilty" first crossed his lips, Michal cried and chewed her bottom lip.
Her hands were clasped tightly by those of her husband and father.
Stephen Moodley remained strong for almost forty minutes. Bravely he listened to how his son, who earlier pleaded not guilty, admitted that he had abducted and murdered Matthews.
How he - for the sake of money alone - blackmailed her mother and father and shot her to death in cold blood because he was scared of being caught by the police in a roadblock.
Stephen Moodley watched how his only son sign his plea statement which could mean that he will spend the next 25 years in jail.
He also heard how supporters of the Matthews' family expressed their repugnance while his son read his plea statement. But still he stood by his son.
First signs of remorse
When the court adjourned, Donovan turned around and looked at his dad. He hesitantly extended his hands to his dad who folded them in his own.
Donovan Moodley looked down and started shaking. For the first time since his arrest last year on October the 4th, he showed remorse in public.
"I'm sorry," he cried. A tear rolled down Stephen Moodley's cheek; he held his son's hands more tightly and looked him in the eye: "We love you, my son. We love you."