- Najwa Petersen, convicted for orchestrating the murder of her husband Taliep Petersen, is set to be released on parole in November.
- She has served 15 years of her 28-year sentence, with the remainder to be served under community supervision in the Athlone Magisterial District.
- Despite this, Petersen’s family is expected to appeal the decision.
Najwa Dirk, convicted of the murder of her husband, renowned musician Taliep Petersen, is set to be released on parole following a parole–board hearing last week.
Now using her maiden surname, she started serving a 28-year prison sentence in February 2009 and, after 15 years, will serve the remainder of this term on parole.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS), in a statement, confirmed Petersen appeared before Correctional Supervision and the Parole Board (CSPB) on Wednesday 11 September 2024, when she was granted a parole–placement date, Wednesday 27 November 2024.
“This decision was made in accordance with Section 73 of the Correctional Services Act, which requires that the minimum–sentence period be served before parole consideration,” it said. “The victims were involved in the parole-hearing process and have been informed of the CSPB’s decision.”
READ: The latest print edition of the People’s Post here
On her release Petersen will serve her parole under the system of community corrections, monitored according to parole conditions. She is to serve the remainder of her sentence in the Athlone Magisterial District.
People’s Post has heard from reliable sources that members of the Petersen family were set to appeal the decision.
Murder and robbery conviction
Now 63 years old, Petersen was convicted of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
While she did not pull the trigger she was convicted on the grounds of orchestrating the hit on Taliep in their Athlone home in December 2006. He was shot in the head execution–style, and three other accused sere also arrested and charged with the crime.
At her trial Petersen pleaded not guilty, claiming assailants had broken into their home and shot and killed Taliep during a robbery. For her role in hiring hitmen she was sentenced to 28 years and not life, which made her eligible for parole.
“Normal parole conditions will apply,” reads the statement from DCS. “For example, she is not allowed to leave her magisterial district without informing her parole officer. She is also not allowed to conduct media interviews. Critical to highlight, there is going to be a continuity of Restorative Justice processes involving the victims of crime with help of professionals.
Petersen has already been enrolled in a pre-release programme to prepare her for reintegration into society.
Sharon Classen, Athlone Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair, confirmed no community engagements had been held.
“A community engagement or Imbizo must still be held,” he said. “We are waiting for feedback from DCS on when and where. If any objection is submitted it has to be referred to the review board for a decision.
