Sunday Times

Mom says killer not rehabilita­ted

Parole for child murderer after three assessment­s

- SANTHAM PILLAY

THE mother of a murdered Chatsworth child is adamant her daughter’s killer should not be paroled after only three meetings with a psychologi­st.

On Friday, Sharon Jeenabhai filed an applicatio­n with the minister and commission­er of correction­al services, as well as the Ncome Parole Review Board to prevent Dhevapraga­sen “Dean” Munsamy’s release next month.

The 35-year-old’s request for parole was granted last week.

In 1996, Munsamy received a 30-year jail sentence for the rape and murder of Jeenabhai’s 10-year-old daughter, Natasha Sukdeo.

In her affidavit, Jeenabhai said she was dissatisfi­ed with the parole board’s decision.

She believes Munsamy has not shown significan­t signs of remorse for his actions in 1995 and that his inconsiste­nt statements do not detail what happened to her daughter.

“Rehabilita­tion starts from within and the offender must take responsibi­lity for the crime committed. To date, Munsamy has not been honest.

“It’s not possible for someone who has not accepted their offence to take responsibi­lity for it.

“I have a right to know what exactly happened to my baby, but Munsamy is preventing me from finding this out.”

Natasha was abducted in August 1995 while on her way to a tuckshop close to her Bayview home.

The then 19-year-old Munsamy, who lived three houses away, offered to help search for the missing girl. He had kept her body hidden in a hollowed-out mattress.

Three days later, however, Natasha’s battered body was found dumped in a neighbour’s backyard.

She had been raped, stabbed and strangled.

Jeenabhai remains unconvince­d of Munsamy’s rehabilita­tion.

“Munsamy has only seen a psychologi­st three times in his 18-year incarcerat­ion.

“I don’t believe any psychologi­st can properly assess a person in only three visits.”

 ??  ?? SHARON JEENABHAI
SHARON JEENABHAI

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