By Shellee Geduld
Najwa Dirk has one less thing to worry about after fraud charges against her were dropped.
The convicted murderess wasn't in court to hear the news on Monday, but was no doubt celebrating behind bars.
Prosecutor Charleen Olivier told the Wynberg Magistrates' Court that the State was no longer proceeding with their case.
The charges relate to the R35 000 claim Najwa put in with her insurance company following the murder of her music legend husband Taliep Petersen at their Athlone home on December 16, 2006.
The list of stolen items she supplied to police include: a gents' Raymond Weil watch valued at about R6 000, a ladies' Raymond Weil watch valued at R6 000, a gents' diamond wedding ring worth about R2 000 and a bank bag containing between R40 000 and R50 000 in cash.
She also provided police with a list of items stolen from her son Achmat Gamieldien during the incident, including Samsung and Nokia cellphones and cameras.
Najwa, 49, is currently serving a 28-year jail term in the Worcester female prison for Taliep's murder.
She was hauled back to court in March this year for the insurance fraud charges and the trial had originally been set down for August 25.
Olivier told Magistrate Heather Paulse that the instruction to withdraw the charges came from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions without giving a reason for the decision. - Daily Voice