Entertainer Taliep Petersen and his wife Najwa were involved in big diamond deals and currency transactions before his death, the Wynberg regional court was told yesterday.

Entertainer Taliep Petersen and his wife Najwa were involved in big diamond deals and currency transactions before his death, the Wynberg regional court was told yesterday.

The claims were made in an affidavit by Najwa Petersen's son from a previous marriage, Sulaiman Effendi, which was handed in as evidence in her second bid for bail.

Najwa Petersen and three co-accused have been charged with Taliep's murder.

Effendi said he had been aware that his mother and "uncle Taliep" were involved in transactions involving diamonds and dollars.

"I knew that Uncle Taliep's money was at a stage paid in Namibia. My mother and Uncle Taliep would at a stage frequently go up to Namibia to get American dollars. My impression was that they were sold here at a profit."

He said Faheem Hendricks, a family acquaintance, had been aware of large amounts of cash in the couple's bedroom safe .

Effendi said a "black book" kept next to his mother's bed had details of expenses and two diamond transactions that Taliep was involved in "in enormous amounts".

"My impression is that dollars and diamonds were involved and that the transactions went sour," Effendi said. - Sapa