Cape Town — The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed that Najwa Petersen was granted parole after 15 years in prison.
Najwa is the widowed wife of legendary musician, Taliep Petersen. She was handed a 28-year sentence after she was touted as the mastermind behind Taliep’s tragic death in Athlone Cape Town in December 2006, TimesLIVE reported.
Cape Town High Court judge Siraj Desai, during sentencing at the time, said the musician had been tied up and “cold-bloodedly” killed. He described the murder as an act of “sheer savagery”.
Najwa appeared before the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) on 11 September and was granted a parole date of 27 November 2024, a statement read.
“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,” Department spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, said.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed that Najwa Petersen, who was said to have orchestrated the murder of her husband and music legend Taliep Petersen, has been granted parole. https://t.co/iSYmUkI1vX
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) September 12, 2024
Petersen began her sentence in February 2009 for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. She underwent rehabilitation programmes and will now be involved in pre-release programmes for her 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,” Nxumalo said.
He added that normal conditions will apply to her parole, such that she must inform her parole officer when she leaves her magisterial district, and she may not conduct media interviews.
Nxumalo said restorative justice processes involving the crime victims would continue via professional help.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
