Taliep Petersen’s family are demanding answers from prison authorities, after one of the late musician’s killers was released without their knowledge last month.
The family issued an emotional public statement on Tuesday, expressing their shock at Abdoer Raasiet Emjedi’s release, and say the justice system has failed them.
Last month, the Daily Voice published a video showing Emjedi walking out of a SAPS building in Krugersdorp – just 11 years into his 24-year sentence.
Taliep, 56, was shot dead in his Athlone home on 16 December 2006 in a robbery that turned out to be a hit orchestrated by his wife Najwa Dirk, 59.
Najwa and Emjedi, who recruited hitman Waheed Hassen, were found guilty of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances and she was sentenced to 28 years in prison in February 2009.
Najwa is still serving her sentence at Pollsmoor Prison.
In their statement, the Petersens said the “feeling of grief and loss resurfaced” when they learnt of Emjedi’s release via social media.
“Due to the media frenzy surrounding the high-profile court case, we as a family chose to privately address our grievances through the proper channels.
“We had numerous phone calls and email correspondence with the regional head of Corrections, the area commissioner and a senior advocate, among others.
“After an initial positive engagement, the aforementioned proverbially disappeared.
“Despite follow-up emails and desperate attempts to engage anyone with a level of accountability – nothing.
“Even after we were requested to furnish the department with the details of the case,” the statement read.
The family said they have decided to go public with their response to the release following a public outcry for answers.
“Why were we as the family not notified of this decision and given the option to engage in a mediated dialogue with him, as was the case with co-accused Jefferson Snyders five years ago and Hassen in February this year, though the latter we denied?
“We want answers. We need answers.
“We would like to believe that this parole decision was not another public failure by the justice system, but without the information, we are inclined to draw our own conclusions.”
Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo confirmed Emjedi was released on 11 November.
“Emjedi was sentenced to 24 years on February 11, 2009, for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances,” said Nxumalo.
“He then received six months’ amnesty in 2012, effectively reducing his sentence by six months.
“This means he was considered for parole placement after having served the minimum detention period.
“Emjedi’s parole placement was effective from November 11, 2020.
“It has to be noted that parole does not reduce the sentence imposed by the courts. It only affects the way in which a sentence is served.
“Over the past 26 years, the prison system has transformed from a punitive system into a rehabilitative system, with the aim to correct offending behaviour prior to placement back into communities.”
venecia.america@inl.co.za