Najwa Dirk Granted Parole

Najwa Dirk, the woman convicted of orchestrating the murder of South African music legend Taliep Petersen nearly 18 years ago, has been granted parole. However, her freedom may be contested, as Taliep’s grieving family considers appealing the decision.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has not yet officially confirmed the conditions of her release, but it is understood that Najwa will be subject to strict parole conditions. Further details will be provided by the DCS in due time, and parole officials are expected to engage the community through an Imbizo in Athlone to address concerns.

Najwa, who has been incarcerated at Pollsmoor Prison after a transfer from Worcester Female Prison, appeared before the parole board on Wednesday. This came after months of evaluations that included interactions with Taliep’s family, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and reports from criminologists. These evaluations aimed to assess her emotional and mental state as part of the Correctional Services Parole Board process.

Taliep’s sister, Maatoema Groenmeyer, confirmed on Wednesday that Najwa is to be released, though DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo stated that their office had not yet received official confirmation of the parole decision. Sharon Classen from the Athlone Community Policing Forum (CPF) also confirmed that they had been briefed but declined to provide additional details.

Taliep’s daughters, Fatiema and A’eesha, along with his sister Maatoema, her husband Naasief, brother Igshaan Petersen, and Najwa’s family, including her son Sulaiman Effendi, have all been involved in the parole hearings. Fatiema and A’eesha, still coming to terms with the decision, said they would refrain from commenting for the time being.

Despite the shock of the parole decision, the daughters had previously expressed forgiveness toward Najwa. In an earlier statement, they acknowledged Najwa’s need for psychological support but found some closure after the Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) held in August. During the dialogue, Najwa admitted to having “partial involvement” in the murder and conceded that her actions—particularly allowing a “dodgy and dirty deal” into their home—had led to the tragedy.

“She gave us closure during the Victim Offender Dialogue,” the sisters shared, adding that if Najwa had not permitted the suspicious deal, “none of it would have happened.”

However, not everyone in the family is prepared to forgive. Maatoema Groenmeyer, visibly upset by the news, expressed her intention to seek legal counsel to oppose the parole decision.

“We are disgusted and appalled at the decision of the parole board,” she said. “If they say she is a flight risk, then why give her parole?”

Maatoema emphasized the family’s discontent, noting that even criminologists and psychologists who evaluated Najwa had found her to be unremorseful and still in denial about her role in the murder.

“My brother Igshaan is not happy. He told the Chairperson, you’ve made your decision, and I will appeal it. Where is the justice?” she asked. “Even the criminologist and psychologist report found her to not be remorseful and still in denial, and that she was the mastermind and very manipulative.”

Maatoema added that Najwa’s parole after 16 years in prison does not reflect the justice Taliep deserved.

“My brother did not get the justice he deserved. She [only] spent 16 years as a convicted prisoner,” she remarked, pointing out that Najwa’s release contrasts sharply with the lasting pain Taliep’s family continues to endure.

Maatoema expressed further anger at the fact that while Najwa will be living under house arrest in her home in Athlone, Taliep’s children were deprived of their father’s presence in their lives.

“She can come and live her life in her house and breathe, and my brother was brutally murdered. He was robbed of his life, and he did not get to see his children grow up and become successful career persons,” Maatoema said. “He didn’t see them get married nor meet his grandchildren.”

The tragic murder of Taliep Petersen took place on December 16, 2006, when Najwa initially claimed that robbers had invaded their Grasmere home in Athlone, leading to Taliep’s fatal shooting. However, her defense did not stand in court. She was found guilty and sentenced to 28 years in prison. Her co-accused, Waheed Hassen, was sentenced to 25 years, while Abdoer Raasiet Emjedi, who received a 24-year sentence, was released on parole in 2020. Another accomplice, Jefferson Snyders, who had been convicted of aggravated robbery and sentenced to ten years, has since passed away.

The parole decision has reignited long-standing emotions among the family and community, many of whom continue to grapple with the lasting impact of Taliep’s murder. It remains to be seen whether the family will succeed in appealing the parole decision and how the community will respond once Najwa is back under house arrest in Athlone.