- Najwa Dirk, convicted for orchestrating the murder of her husband, musician Taliep Petersen, is set to be released on parole after serving 15 years of her 28-year sentence.
- The Department of Correctional Services confirmed that she will serve the remainder of her term under parole in the Athlone Magisterial District.
- Dirk’s parole conditions include restricted movement and no media interviews.
Najwa Dirk, convicted of murdering her husband, the renowned musician Taliep Petersen, is set to be released on parole following a parole board hearing last week.
Now using her maiden surname, Dirk, she started serving a 28-year prison sentence in February 2009 and, after 15 years, will serve the remainder of this term on parole.
READ: The latest print edition of the People’s Post here
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS), in a statement, confirmed Petersen appeared before Correctional Supervision and the Parole Board (CSPB) on Wednesday 11 September, when she was granted a parole placement date, Wednesday 27 November.
it said.
“The victims were involved in the parole-hearing process and have been informed of the CSPB’s decision.”
On her release Petersen will serve her parole under the system of community corrections, monitored according to parole conditions. She is to serve the remainder of her sentence in the Athlone Magisterial District, where she will essentially be confined.
People’s Post has learned from reliable sources that members of the Petersen family were set to appeal the decision.
Now 63 years old, Petersen was convicted of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
While she did not pull the trigger she was convicted on the grounds of orchestrating the hit on Taliep in their Athlone home in December 2006. He was shot in the head execution-style, and three other accused were also arrested and charged with the crime.
Hiring hitmen
At her trial, Petersen pleaded not guilty, claiming assailants had broken into their home and shot and killed Taliep during a robbery.
For her role in hiring hitmen, she was sentenced to 28 years and not life, which made her eligible for parole.
“Normal parole conditions will apply,” reads the statement from DCS. “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.
Critical to highlight, that there is going to be a continuity of restorative justice processes involving the victims of crime with the help of professionals.
Petersen has already been enrolled in a pre-release programme to prepare her for reintegration into society.
Sharon Classen, Athlone Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair, confirmed no community engagements had been held.
“A community engagement or imbizo must still be held,” he said. “We are waiting for feedback from DCS on when and where. If any objection is submitted it has to be referred to the review board for a decision.”
