As the 19th anniversary of music legend Taliep Petersen’s murder approaches, his widow and convicted killer, Najwa Dirk (Petersen), is preparing for a parole hearing that has once again stirred emotions within the Cape Town community.
Najwa, who was sentenced to 28 years in prison for orchestrating her husband’s murder in 2006, is due to appear before the Parole Board on 26 November 2025.
The hearing will determine whether she qualifies for release after nearly two decades behind bars.
Community voices their concerns
An emotional open forum held on Thursday night brought together Taliep’s family, community members, and local policing structures to discuss Najwa’s possible release.
Organised by the Community Policing Forum (CPF), the meeting sought to compile a community impact report reflecting public sentiment and family concerns – a document that will form part of the Parole Board’s deliberations.
According to reports, participants expressed a mix of compassion and outrage – with some arguing for forgiveness and rehabilitation, while others insisted that justice must still run its full course.
A suspended parole and a second review
Najwa had previously been granted parole by the Pollsmoor Prison Parole Board, which had scheduled her release for 27 November 2024.
However, that decision was suspended by Correctional Services Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald, who referred the matter to the Parole Review Board after receiving multiple appeals from Taliep’s family.
The minister said the case required a “deeper evaluation”, citing the family’s continued trauma and the significance of the case in South Africa’s cultural and justice history.
Remembering Taliep
Taliep Petersen, celebrated for his contribution to South African music and theatre, was shot dead in his Claremont home on 16 December 2006.
Najwa was arrested six months later and charged with premeditated murder, alongside two co-accused.
She was convicted in December 2008, while one of the hitmen, Abdoer Raasiet Emjedi, was released on parole in 2020 after serving 24 years.
A family still seeking closure
In a personal revelation last year, Najwa reportedly admitted her involvement in Taliep’s death and apologised to her children, seeking their forgiveness.
Despite this, members of the Petersen family remain opposed to her release.
They say the pain of Taliep’s loss still runs deep, and that parole would undermine the gravity of the crime.
“We respect the justice system, but for us, this is not closure,” a family representative said.
“We live with the consequences every single day.”
What’s next
The Parole Review Board will meet later this month to assess Najwa’s eligibility and the impact of her potential release.
For many, the outcome will not only mark a legal milestone, but also reawaken the collective memory of a crime that shocked South Africa’s music community and changed one family forever.
