New developments in top musician's murder

By Tarryn Le Chat
23 December 2006

As the first news of the murder of theatre and music personality Taliep Petersen broke last weekend, both friends and family blamed the high crime rate in South Africa. However, it now appears that this was no random attack.

As the week unfolded and more details of the attack emerged, it became clear that the killing of Petersen, 56, was a well-planned and organised hit and the initial appearance of robbery was intended to throw police off the killers trail.

As relatives poured out their hearts to the press and police hunted for clues it became apparent that hired hit men were behind Petersen’s murder.

In May he received death threats against himself and his family that he took so seriously that he resigned as a judge in the Afrikaans Idols series.

Then in June, there was a domestic dispute at his home during which Petersen was stabbed in the neck.

A relative, who has gone into hiding, has given police a sworn statement implicating several people known to the family.