Cape Town – Murder mastermind, 63-year-old Najwa Petersen, who orchestrated the murder of her famous musician husband Taliep Petersen has been granted parole after serving just over half of her 28-year sentence.
Taliep Petersen the acclaimed singer, composer, and director of several popular musicals was shot dead in his Athlone home on 16 December 2006, in a hit orchestrated by his wife, Najwa Petersen.
Taliep Petersen’s first theatre performance was a part in a 1974 production of Hair, followed by Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar,
After a period studying classical guitar at the Fitznell School of Music in England, he wrote his first revue, called Carnival a la District Six, based on the New Year celebrations in Cape Town.
Following Taliep Petersen’s shooting – initially thought to be a robbery gone wrong – his wife, Najwa Petersen, the mastermind, was arrested, tried, found guilty, and sentenced.
The motive of the cold-blooded murder was financial gain as Najwa Petersen sought to benefit from her husband’s multi-million rand insurance policy.
Now 63 years old, Najwa Petersen began serving a 28-year sentence on 11 February 2009 for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
However, today, (Thursday 12 September 2024), the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) announced 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”.
The DCS added: “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.
“The victims were involved in the parole hearing process and have been informed of the CSPB’s decision.”
The DCS said Najwa Petersen participated in various rehabilitation programmes and will now be enrolled in pre-release programmes to prepare her for reintegration into society.
“Upon release, Najwa Petersen will serve the remainder of her sentence under the system of community corrections, monitored according to parole conditions,” explained DCS spokesperson Singabakho.Nxumalo.
Normal parole conditions will apply, he said.
“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,” said Nxumalo.
“Critical to highlight, there is going to be a continuity of Restorative Justice processes involving the victims of crime with help of professionals.”
