Charlotte van der Westhuizen has welcomed the decision to revoke the parole of her ex-husband Marius van der Westhuizen, who murdered their three young children, as a victory for all women and children affected by gender-based violence (GBV).
The Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board (CSPRB) announced on Thursday that Van der Westhuizen’s parole was reviewed and they had overturned the parole board’s decision.
Lawyer for Charlotte, Gerhard van Niekerk, said that his client was elated with the decision.
“This is a victory for us as it has been a very tough battle and journey over the past 18 years.
“Charlotte is very happy with the outcome and has expressed that this is a victory for all women and children under the influence of GBV.
“We want to thank the judge and the CSPRB as this decision was in the interest of justice. If he was to be allowed out on parole, it would have meant that he only served four years per child that he killed.
“Charlotte has expressed that she felt she could not stand up for her children in that moment but she is able to do so now,” said Van Niekerk.
Marius was convicted of the murder of the couple’s three children – 21-month-old Antoinette, five-year-old Marius and 16-year-old Bianca.
The Parole Board granted Marius parole and he was due to be released on July 31 after serving 13 years of his 24-year sentence.
Correctional Services Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald welcomed the revocation of Marius’s parole.
“Reforming our parole system is not just a policy issue, but a moral imperative. Although victims of crime are allowed to participate in the parole process, financial exclusion is a deterring factor.
“We are committed to review and reform our parole system to protect the most vulnerable of our society,” said Groenewald.
Head of Action Society’s Action Centre, Kaylynn Palm, said perpetrators and convicts of violence against children should not be considered for parole.
“We are cautiously optimistic that the overturning of his parole will now become the norm. Too often, we see – in the cases we are involved with, as well as others –offenders receiving parole and then reoffending. The same goes for suspects receiving bail for vicious offences against children and women. We do understand that you are not guilty until proven guilty, but we should not have the luxury in our country of putting the rights of criminals before those of victims,” said Palm.
Freedom Front Plus’s Heloïse Denner called on the Correctional Services ministry to “ensure that the parole system is revamped so that everyone involved in the process is treated fairly”.
“In cases such as this one, there is more to consider than just the rights of the parole applicant. The interests of the community and the victims – such as the children’s mother, Charlotte, who opposed the application because she fears for her life – should be given just as much consideration. It comes down to a total overhaul of the entire criminal justice system, including the administrative side,” said Denner.
Cape Times