Najwa Dirk, who is serving time behind bars for the murder of Cape Town music icon Taliep Petersen in 2006, has been granted parole today, 11 September, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The decision follows months of sessions with Taliep’s family, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists, including reports from criminologists, as part of the Correctional Services Parole Board process to assess her emotional and mental state.
Also read: Najwa Dirk admits role in Taliep Petersen’s murder
‘The Department of Correction Services (DCS) confirms that Najwa Petersen appeared before the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) on 11 September 2024, where she was granted a parole placement date of 27 November 2024,’ said the DCS in a statement.
‘Now 63 years old, Najwa Petersen began serving a 28-year sentence on 11 February 2009 for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. She has participated in various rehabilitation programmes and will now be enrolled in pre-release programmes to prepare her for reintegration into society.’
After pleading not guilty, Najwa was convicted in the Cape High Court alongside hitmen Abdoer Emjedi and Waheed Hassen. Hassen was sentenced to 25 years while Emjedi, who was sentenced to 24 years, was released on parole in 2020.
Another co-accused, Jefferson Snyders, who was sentenced to ten years for aggravated robbery, has since passed away.
‘Upon release, Najwa Petersen will serve the remainder of her sentence under the system of community corrections, monitored according to parole conditions,’ the DCS added.
According to the statement, Najwa’s family as well as the family members of the late music legend were involved in the parole-hearing process and have been informed of the CSPB’s decision. Normal parole conditions will apply and a Community Imbizo to engage residents is expected to take place in Athlone.
Following the proceeding, Taliep’s daughters, Fatiema and A’eesha Petersen, told IOL that they were still trying to process the news and could not speak yet.
Meanwhile, Taliep’s sister Maatoema Groenmeyer told the Daily Voice that they would be seeking legal counsel to oppose the parole decision.
‘We are disgusted and appalled at the decision of the parole board. If they say she is a flight risk, then why give her parole?’ says Maatoema.
‘My brother Igshaan is not happy. He told the Chairperson, “You’ve made your decision and I will appeal it”. Where is the justice?’
‘Even the criminologist and psychologist report found her to not be remorseful and still in denial, and that she was the mastermind and very manipulative. My brother did not get the justice he deserved; she spent 16 years as a convicted prisoner.’
According to the publication, Maatoema added that while Najwa will be placed under house arrest at her home in Athlone, she had been given another lifeline while Taliep’s children were robbed of a father.
‘Critical to highlight, there is going to be a continuity of Restorative Justice processes involving the victims of crime with help of professionals,’ concluded the DCS statement.
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Picture: Mark Wessels / Gallo Images