Minister Groenewald responds to child killer's 4th parole bid

A YEAR after former police officer Marius van der Westhuizen's third parole bid was placed on hold and cancelled, he has daringly launched a fourth application.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

This comes 19 years after he murdered his three children in front of their mother.

In response to his latest application, Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald said the bid could not be ignored legally, but that it would be challenged by recommendations made a year ago.

Van der Westhuizen's state of mind and the impact on his victims, like his ex-wife, Charlotte van der Westhuizen, would need to be considered.

Last July, Van der Westhuizen's third application was placed for review and then cancelled on the eve of when he was due to be released from the Malmesbury prison.