A former Western Cape police officer who was convicted for the murder of his three children has been granted parole.
Singabakho Nxumalo, spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, stated that Marius van der Westhuizen came before the Parole Board and Correctional Supervision (CSPB) earlier this week and was granted parole, effective July 31.
“This decision complies with Section 73 of the Correctional Services Act, which specifies the minimum sentence length that must be served before parole consideration.
“This was Van der Westhuizen’s third appearance before the CSPB, following his first session in December 2022. “Parole was not granted at the time due to the need for additional profiling,” Nxumalo stated.
He stated that Van der Westhuizen has accepted responsibility for his offenses and has engaged in therapeutic and other rehabilitative interventions.
“The victims participated in the parole hearing and were informed of the CSPB’s decision.
“Prior to his release, Van van Westhuizen will participate in pre-release programs to assist him adjust to life after incarceration.
“Upon his release, he will serve the remainder of his sentence in community corrections, monitored in accordance with parole requirements. His sentence will expire in September 2034,” says Nxumalo.
Van der Westhuizen received a 24-year sentence for the murders of his three children: 16-year-old Bianca, five-year-old Marius, and 21-month-old Antoinette.
The Weekend Argus earlier reported that Van der Westhuizen, formerly of Brackenfell, was the acting station commander at Claremont police station in 2006 when he murdered his children after his wife, Charlotte, lied to him.
According to the publication, moments before drawing the trigger, Van der Westhuizen offered Charlotte an ultimatum: choose between her career and him and their family, and when she refused, he killed their children.
