Najwa Dirk, the mastermind behind the murder of her husband, Taliep Petersen, a Cape music legend, is expected to face another parole hearing next week. This comes a year after her previous bid was dismissed, requiring her to complete further assessment and specified intervention programmes. Petersen's family has indicated that it plans to oppose the latest bid, shortly before the 20th anniversary of his murder.
Petersen's siblings, including Maatoema Groenmeyer, remain adamant that Dirk must remain behind bars, believing she was the mastermind behind Petersen's tragic death and that she had her hand on the trigger alongside former hitman, Waheed Hassen. Hassen has since been granted parole. At the time of sentencing, the court ruled that it could not be determined who had pulled the trigger, that it was either Dirk or Hassen. Dirk denied being in the TV room when the shot was fired.
Groenmeyer stated that the family would assess the plan the Correctional Supervision Parole Board is delivering but would appeal her request. Taliep's children have requested not to comment on the proceedings; however, during a previous interview, they said they had forgiven Dirk and that she needed psychological help. The children had previously said they needed to set themselves free of hate and resentment for the sake of their baby sister, Zaynub Petersen.
The Department of Correctional Services' communications officer, Candice Van Reenen, stated that they were unable to confirm the sitting of the CSPB for Dirk. However, Groenmeyer said the family had received a letter inviting them to attend its hearing, which is expected to take place at Pollsmoor Prison on November 18. In January, the City of Cape Town awarded Taliep its highest civic honour, the Freedom of the City, which was accepted on behalf of his daughters.
Dirk's parole was granted in 2024 but was suspended by the Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, following an appeal by Taliep's family. Dirk was sentenced to 28 years after being convicted of being the mastermind behind her husband's murder on December 16, 2006, in Athlone, which she had attempted to stage as a robbery. Her co-accused, Hassen, received 25 years.
Groenmeyer expressed that the family had suffered a significant impact following the murder and that Dirk had shown no remorse, calling her cold and calculated. She added that the family will attend the hearing and hear what the Correctional Services Parole Board has to say about their plan. Groenmeyer also mentioned that Taliep had never met any of his grandchildren or observed his children thrive academically and in their careers.
Should Dirk be granted parole, she is expected to return to the same suburb where the murder took place. Her youngest son, Suleiman Effendi, said he would take full responsibility for his mother when she was released and make sure that she did not breach her parole conditions. The Athlone Community Policing Forum was also contacted for comment on her latest parole hearing and said they were yet to be informed about the proceedings.
Key points
- Petersen's family plans to oppose Dirk's parole bid
- Dirk was sentenced to 28 years for masterminding her husband's murder
- Dirk's parole was previously granted but suspended following an appeal by Taliep's family
