Johannesburg – Najwa Petersen, who is serving a 28-year prison sentence for masterminding the murder of her musician husband Taliep Petersen, has had her hopes for early release dashed after Correctional Services Minister Dr. Pieter Groenewald ordered a review of her parole.
Just over two weeks ago, on 12 September 2024, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) announced that Najwa Petersen was granted parole and would be released from prison on 27 November 2024.
However, on Friday, (27 September 2024), Correctional Services Minister Dr. Groenewald announced that the matter was being taken on review.
RELATED: Taliep Petersen Murder: Mastermind 63-Year-Old Wife Najwa Petersen Granted Parole – The Bulrushes
The minister directed that the decision of the Pollsmoor Correctional Supervision and Parole Board to place Najwa Petersen on parole be referred to the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board (CSPRB) in terms of section 75(8) of the Correctional Services Act.
The CSPRB is tasked with reviewing the original decision made by the Pollsmoor Correctional Supervision and Parole Board and must confirm or replace it with its own decision.
“This referral suspends the decision to place her on parole, effective from the 27th of November 2024, pending the outcome of the CSPRB,” said Dr. Groenewald.
The minister said he decided to refer the matter following representations from the family of the victim Taliep Petersen.
“The discrepancies in Marius van der Westhuizen’s case have led to a lack of public trust,” said Dr. Groenewald.
“‘As a result, I am exercising my discretion under the provisions of the Act to ensure that Parole Boards consider all reports comprehensively to prevent future occurrences of such issues.”
