Najwa Petersen's parole suspended after Groenewald intervention

CAPE TOWN - The decision to place husband killer, Najwa Petersen, on parole in November has been suspended pending an outcome of the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board.

Earlier in September, the Pollsmoor Correctional Supervision and Parole Board granted Petersen a parole placement date of 27 November. 

However, Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has referred that decision back to the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board.

Groenewald said that he took the decision following representations from Taliep Petersen's family.

"The discrepancies in Marius van der Westhuizen’s case have led to a lack of public trust. As a result, I am exercising my discretion under the provisions of the Act to ensure that parole boards consider all reports comprehensively to prevent future occurrences of such issues."

Groenewald explained the reasons for his decision:

"I directed the decision of the Pollsmoor Parole Board to place Ms Najwa Petersen on parole be referred to the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board in terms of section 75 (8) of the Correctional Services Act. I decided to refer the matter following representations from the family of the victim, Mr Taliep Petersen."