Cape Town - The Weekend Argus can exclusively reveal that one of the men fingered as being the hitman in the murder of Cape muso Taliep Petersen nearly 18 years ago, will be out on parole next week, leaving no one behind bars for the killing while mastermind Najwa Dirk’s parole is under review.
This comes while the Minister of Correctional Services’, Dr Pieter Groenewald reviews the parole of Dirk, the wife of Petersen, who is also serving time for her role in the widely-publicised murder case.
The news comes just a week after Groenewald announced his decision to suspend Dirk’s parole which was expected to take place on November 27 2024, following it being granted earlier last month.
Groenewald said the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPRB) would be tasked in carrying out the review but could not indicate how long their findings would take.
Singabakho Nxumalo, spokesperson for DCS, the Department of Correctional Services confirmed Waheed Hassan's release out on parole and did not divulge any further information about his conditions: “Waheed Hassan was placed on parole on October 8 2024.”
This week, Weekend Argus approached Petersen's daughter, A'eesha Petersen about Hassan's parole being granted.
“May the adjustment of his reintegration into society be an easy journey Insha Allah Ameen. May all go well with him,” she said.
Earlier during an interview, Taliep's daughters, A'eesha and Faitema said they said they had forgiven Dirk and that she needed help psychologically.
The daughters said they needed to set themselves free of the hate and resentment for the sake of their baby sister, Zaynub Petersen, who still needed her mother.
Petersen's sister, Maatoema Groenmeyer, said Hassan had shown remorse and was rehabilitated.
“He has shown us all of his certificates (rehabilitation).
“He said he regrets what he did.”
During the trial, Hassan penned a letter, asking for forgiveness from his co-accused, Jefferson Snyders, who he said he had involved in the crime by being part of the robbery and wept inside court when the details were read.
Snyders passed away a few years ago, while Hassan received a 25 year sentence.
Another co-accused, Abdoer Emjedi, who was sentenced to 24 years behind bars and served his minimum term after being convicted of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances, was granted parole in 2020.
The review by Groenewald is the second he has been tasked to consult on following a request by family members and victims.
Marius van der Westhuizen, a former policeman, was sentenced to 24 years for the murders of his children, Bianca, 16, Marius, five and Antionette, 21-months-old which took place in 2006.
Eune Oelofsen spokesperson for Groenewald said in both instances concerning Dirk and Van der Westhuizen, the families submitted representations to the Minister, contending that essential reports had not been duly considered.
Section 75(8) of the Correctional Services Act empowers the Minister, National Commissioner, and Inspecting Judge to refer decisions to the Correctional Services Parole Review Board (CSPRB).
“Accordingly, representations may be submitted to the Ministry of Correctional Services, the Department of Correctional Services, or the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services,” she said.
She added the referral for review is based on merit.
“After considering the victims' request, the decision, the minutes, and the profile report, the Minister, National Commissioner or Inspecting Judge may, in accordance with Section 75(8), refer the Parole Board's decision to grant parole to the CSPRB for further examination and review.'
Janho Engelbrecht (MP), and DA, spokesperson: Correctional Services said much had to be considered during parole reviews such as case laws.
“I believe that DCS would primarily focus on ways to address certain legal provisions, case law, and the practices of Parliament and the executive concerning parole in South Africa,” he said.