/ 19 June 2007

Two held in connection with Taliep Petersen’s murder

Two people were arrested on Monday in connection with the murder of Cape theatre personality Taliep Petersen, said police spokesperson Superintendent Billy Jones.

A 45-year-old woman was arrested at about 7.40pm at her house in Athlone and a 41-year-old man was arrested around 8.30pm in the Strandfontein area.

Petersen was shot and killed at his Athlone home in Grasmere street around 11.45pm on December 16 last year.

Media reports at the time said investigators questioned Petersen’s wife Najwa and stepson Achmat Gameldien. Police at the time said the questioning was ”normal procedure”.

Jones said on Monday: ”The particulars of the suspects will not be released until they have appeared in court. Investigators have indicated the possibility of further arrests, but detail in this regard cannot be confirmed at this stage.”

The suspects were expected to be charged with murder and would appear in court in due course, said Jones.

Petersen, best known for musicals that evoked the spirit of Cape Town’s District Six, was shot dead by men who robbed other family members of cellphones, watches and other small items before locking them inside their bedrooms.

Petersen was then allegedly taken to the living room where he was bound with cable ties and shot. – Sapa