Action Society welcomes the decision by the Department of Correctional Services to review the parole placement of Marius van der Westhuizen, an ex-cop turned killer who murdered his three children in cold blood.
The former cop killed his children in Brackenfell in Cape Town in 2006 in an act of senseless and cruel violence. He was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment but served only 13 years. This week the department made a decision to review his parole after examining the report from the parole board.
Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm stated unequivocally that Marius is a child murderer and should remain behind bars for life. She applauded the decision to review the matter and said it is a step in the right direction as crimes against children should be taken with utmost seriousness.
“We welcome this move, and trust that the right decision will be made. It is also good to see that positive change is being made in the department since the appointment of correctional services minister Pieter Groenewald,” she said.
“We reiterated once again that 13 years for the death of three innocent children is insulting and sets a dangerous precedent going forward; no person is above the law, regardless of their status in society. He took three children from this world, children who had their entire lives in front of them. The trauma inflicted upon the family warrants nothing less than life in prison. He should stay behind bars for the rest of his life,” concluded Palm.
