Parole bid by Goldin, Bloom’s attackers

Two men convicted in connection with the murders of Brett Goldin and Richard Bloom in 2006 are to be considered for parole.

Nurshad Davids, who was convicted of hijacking, kidnapping and robbery, is to appear before the Parole Board on November 16.

Another criminal jailed over the killings is to appear in January. The name of the second man has not been released.

Denise Goldin, mother of Brett, says she received a letter last week in which Captain Kenneth Speed, who investigated the case, said while he knew she would find it upsetting, she should know that Davids and another of the perpetrators would be appearing before the Parole Board soon.

Speed said he could not comment on the details of the hearing at this stage, but could confirm that he had sent the letter to Goldin.

Eben Mourries, assistant director of parole at the Drakenstein correctional facility where Davids and the other man are incarcerated, confirmed that parole applications had been lodged by the two.

Davids was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with three years suspended on condition that he would testify against his accomplices.

He has lodged his application with the Parole Board after serving five years and five months.

Denise Goldin said: “I’m feeling very disturbed by this.

“Although I know he has a right to a hearing, I feel it is extremely unjust if parole is granted. The ripple effect of this double murder is bigger than anyone could imagine.

“Many lives have been ruined. My son is gone – he cannot apply to live his life as a free person, yet people who have been participants in this crime are able to.”

A few days after Goldin received the letter from Speed, Charmaine Rowlands of Stands (Standing Together Against Needless Deaths) posted a petition on Facebook and also launched it by e-mail.

Within two days, almost 1 000 signatures – from South Africa and abroad – had been gathered. - Cape Times