No parole for Baby Jordan's killers
Eleven years after murdering baby Jordan-Leigh Norton, Zanethemba Gwada and Bonginkosi Sigenu were denied parole - again.
|||Cape Town - Eleven years after murdering baby Jordan-Leigh Norton, and nine years after being sentenced, killers Zanethemba Gwada and Bonginkosi Sigenu were denied parole - again.
The pair appeared before the parole board at the Drakenstein Correctional Facility near Paarl on Wednesday and had their second parole bid denied.
Gwada and Sigenu were paid R10 000 in 2005 by Dina Rodrigues, who was in a relationship with the baby’s father Neil Wilson at the time, to kill the then 6-month-old infant.
Rodrigues, along with Gwada, Sigenu and two other men were sentenced to life behind bars. Their previous parole bid was denied a year ago.
Jordan's mother, Natasha Norton, said she decided to take time away from the proceedings, but commended the parole board's decision.
“I think the parole board has done its job and is looking out for us as victims. I am happy with the outcome.”
She said it never gets easier for her and her family, especially as the hearing came two weeks after Jordan's 11-year memorial.
“It was a tough time again, but we stick through it with family and close friends. Every one says time heals and makes it easier, but it doesn’t seem to make it easier, but we get through it. We have been in such a great space and it feels like we take 10 steps forward and 20 back.”
She said she did not regret her decision not to attend the proceedings, but her father, Vernon Norton, was there and said they were satisfied with the decision: “The parole board understands what they need to do and they take into consideration the needs of society.”
Vernon said he mentioned to the board that it did not get easier for him and his family.
Correctional Services spokesman Simphiwe Xako said the board heard the pair's bid for parole in November.
“They are both undergoing anger management courses and attend restorative justice sessions. Sigenu is also completing his Grade 12 this year.
“The parole board is awaiting reports from the psychologist, the police and Community Policing Forum to see if they could go back to the community.”
yolisa.tswanya@inl.co.za
Cape Argus