TALKS HELD AHEAD OF NAJWA'S PAROLE HEARING

Community, family divided as parole review nears for Taliep Petersen’s widow

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

ON THE eve of the 19th anniversary of Cape music icon Taliep Petersen's murder, his widow Najwa Dirk, better known as Najwa Petersen, who was convicted and sentenced to 28 years for his murder, will face a parole hearing. An open dialogue was held in Athlone last night with the community, his family, and policing structures discussing her possible release.

According to the Community Policing Forum (CPF), the aim of the public engagement between Taliep’s family and the community, safety structures, and various neighbourhood watch teams is to formulate a report that will be handed over to the Parole Board.

It is understood that the upcoming parole hearing will take place at Pollsmoor Prison on November 26, with Taliep’s siblings stating they would once again be appealing it.

Najwa’s parole was suspended after the Correctional Services Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald referred the decision to the Parole Review Board for a comprehensive review, following representations from the victim's family. Originally granted parole by the Pollsmoor prison parole board for a November 27, 2024 release, the parole was placed on hold pending the review’s outcome. This was after Taliep’s family penned a letter to the Ministry calling for a review of the parole.