After spending twenty years locked up in a cell, the convicted murderer of Marike De Klerk is now desperate for parole.
Marike was the wife of South Africa’s former president FW De Klerk who served the nation during apartheid.
Luyanda Mboniswa was sentenced to life imprisonment in May 2003 for the murder of FW de Klerk’s first wife. He was also given another life term for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
That murder gripped South Africa as various versions of the motive spread like a wild veld fire.
Mboniswa is now appearing for parole with the hope of being released this year after serving twenty years.
Earlier this week, he once again approached the Western Cape High Court for parole. Mboniswa has been unsuccessful twice in his quest for parole.
The De Klerk Foundation has chosen to remain quiet about Mboniswa’s bid for parole. It is a touchy issue for them.
Marike was found dead at her apartment in 2001. She had been strangled to death.
The then 21-year-old fresh faced Mboniswa was a security guard who had been stationed to watch over her.
He was linked to the crime and subsequently arrested due to overwhelming evidence.
Earlier this year, he made a parole bid that was rejected by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola.
The Department of Justice’s spokesperson Chrispin Phiri confirmed the appearance of Mboniswa in the high court on Monday, and said the prisoner had approached the court to review the rejection.
This is a developing story. More details are set to emerge next week.
