Najwa Petersen considered for parole after 19 years for Taliep's murder

Najwa Dirk, better known as Najwa Petersen, has been considered for granted parole after serving 19 years behind bars for the murder of her Cape music icon husband, Taliep Petersen. The announcement was made by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on Thursday.

National spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo explained that the decision was made following a process with the recommendation of the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB).

“The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) wishes to confirm that the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) has considered Najwa Petersen's parole placement,” he said.

“Following its assessment, the CSPB has directed that offender Petersen be afforded a further profile. This includes the completion of specified intervention programmes within a set timeframe, as recommended by the Board. Her parole placement will be reconsidered once these programmes have been successfully completed and all related requirements have been met.”

DCS has yet to indicate when the decision will be made.

Earlier this month, an open dialogue with the community of Athlone was hosted by the CPF, police, and DCS.

The Weekend Argus reported that the community supported her release. Her youngest son, Suleiman Effendi, said he would take full responsibility for his mother when she was released and make sure that she did not breach her parole conditions: "I basically want everyone to know we are ready to integrate my mommy back into society. No one needs to be worried that they will bump into her at the shop as we will keep her at home. It will only be after some time that we will slowly integrate her back into the outside world. Whatever conditions are set out for her parole, we will adhere to it, and I will be responsible for it.”

Earlier, Cape Argus approached Taliep’s children for comment, who said they were not prepared to say anything, but during a previous interview, they said they had forgiven Najwa and that she needed psychological help. The children said they needed to set themselves free of hate and resentment for the sake of their baby sister, Zaynub Petersen, who still needs her mother. They added that Najwa had admitted to “partial involvement” in their father’s murder.

Taliep’s sister, Maatoema Groenmeyer, had a different view during the engagement period, citing that they would launch a second appeal. “She had her hand on the trigger that ended his life,” she said.

Najwa was sentenced to 28 years after being convicted of being the mastermind behind her husband’s murder in 2006 in Athlone, while co-accused Waheed Hassen received 25 years. Hassen also met with the parole board in 2021 and was granted parole last year.

Abdoer Raasiet Emjedi, also a co-accused, was sentenced to 24 years behind bars in 2009 and served his minimum term after being convicted of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Emjedi was released on parole in 2020. Another co-accused, Jefferson Snyders, who was convicted of aggravated robbery and was sentenced to 10 years and acquitted of the murder, died three years ago.

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Cape Argus