Waheed Hassan, the man convicted for the murder of South African musician Taliep Petersen in 2006, has been officially released on parole. The announcement came from the Department of Correctional Services, sparking renewed public interest in one of the country’s most notorious cases of orchestrated murder.
The murder of Taliep Petersen occurred during what was staged to appear as a robbery at his family home in Athlone.
This event resulted in the imprisonment of both Waheed Hassan and Taliep’s wife, Najwa Petersen, who was thought to have masterminded the robbery and murder.
Waheed Hassan has been serving his sentence at Warm Bokkeveld Prison in Ceres.
His release on parole was confirmed by Singabakho Nxumalo, spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, who also noted that the specifics of his parole conditions would remain confidential.
Singabakho Nxumalo, the spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, confirmed that Hassan was released on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. He stated that the conditions surrounding Hassan’s parole would remain confidential, in line with departmental policy.
“Waheed Hassan was placed into the system of community corrections on Tuesday until his sentence expires in August 2033,”
Nxumalo disclosed, according to a report by Independent Media.
Hassan, who was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment in 2009, had been serving his time at Warm Bokkeveld Prison in Ceres. His release has drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the death of Taliep Petersen, a beloved figure in South African music.
On the night of December 16, 2006, Taliep Petersen was shot and killed in what was staged to appear as a robbery at his home in Athlone, Cape Town. The musician was tied up with cable ties before being executed with a single bullet to the head, a crime that left many shocked and heartbroken.
Investigations later revealed that the crime had been orchestrated by Petersen’s wife, Najwa Dirk, who hired Hassan and other accomplices to carry out the murder. Dirk was found to be the mastermind behind the attack and was convicted alongside Hassan.
While Hassan has now been released, Najwa Dirk’s possible release remains in limbo. She was scheduled for parole in November 2024 after serving 16 years of a 28-year sentence. However, the decision regarding her parole has been placed under review following objections raised by the victim’s family.
The Department of Correctional Services Minister, Pieter Groenewald, explained that Najwa’s parole application has been referred to the Parole Review Board. The board will either confirm or overturn the initial decision regarding her release, taking into consideration all the evidence and representations submitted during the review process.
Groenewald stated,
“The decision has been taken to the Parole Review Board who will now be tasked with reviewing the original decision, or replace it with its own decision.”
The potential release of Najwa Dirk has caused a stir, particularly among Petersen’s family members, who are strongly opposed to her parole. His sister, Maatoema Groenmeyer, expressed her frustration with the process.
“We are disgusted and appalled at the decision of the parole board. If they say she is a flight risk, then why give her parole?”
she questioned, highlighting the concerns that Dirk has not shown genuine remorse for her actions. Groenmeyer added that both criminologists and psychologists involved in Dirk’s case found her to still be in denial, with little acknowledgment of her role as the mastermind behind the murder.
“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,”
she remarked.
Her discontent is shared by other members of the Petersen family, who feel that justice has not been adequately served. Groenmeyer further added,
“My brother did not get the justice he deserved, she [only] spent 16 years as a convicted prisoner.”
This sentiment underscores the deep sense of loss and dissatisfaction that still lingers within the family, despite the passage of time.
The Department of Correctional Services has highlighted Najwa’s participation in various rehabilitation programmes during her incarceration, which was a key factor in her initial parole eligibility. These programmes, aimed at preparing offenders for reintegration into society, have been part of the department’s broader efforts to reduce recidivism.
At the time of her parole placement, the Department stated that Najwa would also undergo pre-release programmes designed to facilitate her return to the community. The review of her parole, however, remains pending, and no final decision has yet been reached on whether she will be released.
