Last witness to testify on Monday in Najwa case

The case against murder accused Najwa Petersen and the men she allegedly hired to have her husband, theatre legend Taliep Petersen, killed has been postponed in the Cape High Court till Monday when the last State witness is expected to testify.

Thereafter, the defence will present their case. The detective investigating the murder, Captain Joash Dryden, has told the court that despite numerous attempts, the murder weapon has not yet been found.

Dryden says in the widow's statement to the police, Najwa, said her husband must have known the intruders as he would not have opened the door to anyone. He read out the statement she made two days after the murder, detailing what happened on the night Petersen was murdered in December 2006.

Dryden said when he asked Najwa about the murder and robbery, she started telling him that she suffered from stress and depression. In her statement, she said on the night of the murder she was woken up by a man wearing a balaclava who held a gun to her head. She said the man asked her where the money was and she took him to the safe and gave him between R40 000 - R50 000. Twice in her statement she emphasised telling the truth and had nothing to hide.

Yesterday's proceedings were adjourned early as one of the accused complained of feeling ill. Abdoer Raasiet Emjdei was diagnosed as suffering from stress.