True Crime South Africa

The brand-new release movie Dead Man's Wire hits cinemas across South Africa on 23 January, and it is based on a very real and incredibly bizarre story. In this companion podcast - brought to you by Empire Entertainment - we delve down into the true story behind a 68-hour hostage drama that changed the media, law enforcement and the legal world. Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook &midd...

Part 2 of 2 In 2015 a slew of Hawks officers descended on a nondescript home in Bloemfontein. After detaining Danish national Peter Frederiksen the officers' first stop was his freezer. Inside, they found exactly what Peter's terrified wife had confessed they would. That discovery, though, was just the beginning of a very dark road they were about to head down with Frederiksen which spanned almost...

In 2015 a slew of Hawks officers descended on a nondescript home in Bloemfontein. After detaining Danish national Peter Frederiksen the officers' first stop was his freezer. Inside, they found exactly what Peter's terrified wife had confessed they would. That discovery, though, was just the beginning of a very dark road they were about to head down with Frederiksen which spanned almost his entire...

This is a TCSA Rewind episode - designed to bring more attention to some of the back catalogue of episodes and provide updates in cases I've covered in the past. This episode was first released in December 2022. Listen through to the end for an update including additional information I've received since the initial episode was published. When 20-year-old Siam Lee went missing from her place of wor...

In the 1950s in the KZN Midlands, one of the country's first recorded serial killers began a series of crimes which would go down in history for a few different reasons. More than 70 years later, this vintage true crime case remains one of the most infamous tales of coldblooded murder in South Africa. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/truecri...

When a well-known magistrate is found murdered in her home, the Crimes Against the State unit are called in to investigate what could be another terrible silencing of a voice of justice. The truth behind Romay van Rooyen's murder, though, was far closer to home. This episode was first released in the Patreon feed in Feb 2025 Chapters: 00:00:00 - 00:00:09 Intro 00:10:00 - 00:03:48 Support the Show...

This is a crossover episode from Jonathan Ball's Pagecast podcast. In this episode, Nicole Engelbrecht is interviewed by journalist and director of Beauty and the Bester, Anthony Molyneaux about Nicole's new book: Bare Bones: Cold Cases From True Crime South Africa Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

In 2023, a middle-aged accountant stood in the dock in the JHB Specialised Crimes Court at Palm Ridge and received a 25 year sentence. Her unassuming appearance belied the 13 years she had spent systematically draining her employer's bank account. In the end, the judge would say that this was the most significant financial crime he had ever presided over. Steenkamp, though, claimed it wasn't all h...

When a family of four is attacked in their home and there is only one survivor, with a regularly alternating version of what occurred, Vanderbijlpark police quickly become suspicious. When the truth is finally revealed, it is far more horrendous than anyone could ever have imagined. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/truecrimesa) (Support the...

The brand-new release movie Shelby Oaks hits cinemas across South Africa today, and in addition to being an incredible film in the horror genre, it also brings several true crime themes to the fore. When Riley Brennan goes missing her sister Mia is thrust into the world of missing people and the ambiguous loss and deep desperation that accompanies the experience. In this companion podcast - brough...

In 2002 Claudia Mokone was killed after being struck with shrapnel from a bomb blast near her home. Her senseless death was part of a much larger plan for a group of men who called themselves the Boeremag. In this episode I discuss the case, the group and their trial with the author of the book The High Treason Club, Karin Mitchell, and the SAPS detective who cracked the case, Col. Tollie Vreugden...

In 2004 a recreation spot in Newcastle became the hunting ground for a serial predator. In a series of crimes that mirrored the still-unsolved Zodiac series in the US, couples seeking out some alone time in the park were targeted. The killer's arrest would occur in the most unexpected way. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/truecrimesa) (Suppo...

Recent headlines about SA influencers promoting an allegedly exploitative work program in Russia had the public in an uproar, but those who work in the entertainment industry were less surprised. In this episode I explore the dark side of the glitzy photos and bright lights of fame. I'm joined by the incredible Rosie Motene who shares personal insights from her 30 years in the industry. Resources...

I’m dropping into your feed to tell you about a very cool podcast I’ve just discovered that I think you’ll really like. Radio Workshop is a documentary-style podcast about youth issues in Africa. One of the things I love most about podcasting is that it provides a platform for previously untold stories to be heard with a lower barrier to entry and Radio Workshop does this really beautifully. You’l...

This episode was first published in the Patreon feed in May 2023. Working in a prison environment is a dangerous undertaking, but most correctional centre employees would expect the danger to come from the incarcerated offenders. When three young prison wardens set out on a brief errand for their employer, though, they will soon realise that the danger was far closer than they thought. (24-hr trau...

Stolen Girl Official Companion Podcast Part 2 of 2 - Child Abduction in South Africa In part 1 of the Stolen Girl Companion podcast we delved into the real-life case of Maureen Dabbagh and her daughter, Nadia, who was abducted and taken to Syria by her father in the 90s. In this 2nd and final part of the podcast we talk about the reality of child abduction in South Africa and what we can do to pre...

Stolen Girl Official Companion Podcast Part 1 of 2 - Finding Nadia When Maureen Dabbagh's ex-husband fails to return their two-year-old daughter from a scheduled visitation, it sets off a series of events which will change all three lives forever. Now, Maureen must become a completely different person in order to rescue her daughter when the justice system seems to have no way to help. The brand n...

When Rachel Dolly Tshabalala was discovered deceased in her partner's home, the riddle of her murder seemed simultaneously obvious and utterly baffling. Was the man she had given her heart to the ferocious supporter of woman's rights he presented to the world or was he hiding a dark side? (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/truecrimesa) (Suppor...

This is a TCSA Rewind episode - designed to bring more attention to some of the back catalogue of episodes and provide updates in cases I've covered in the past. Part 3 This episode rewinds back to episode 110 - the murder of Marna Engelbrecht and Sharnelle Hough and as your rewind update, I've converted this into a three-part series which now includes the two companion episodes I created for the...

This is a TCSA Rewind episode - designed to bring more attention to some of the back catalogue of episodes and provide updates in cases I've covered in the past. Part 2 This episode rewinds back to episode 110 - the murder of Marna Engelbrecht and Sharnelle Hough and as your rewind update, I've converted this into a three-part series which now includes the two companion episodes I created for the...

This is a TCSA Rewind episode - designed to bring more attention to some of the back catalogue of episodes and provide updates in cases I've covered in the past. Part 1 This episode rewinds back to episode 110 - the murder of Marna Engelbrecht and Sharnelle Hough and as your rewind update, I've converted this into a three-part series which now includes the two companion episodes I created for the...

When an ordinary South African finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, she starts to see the gaps in the system that are deeply failing families and justice professionals. Sophia Dewberry was not willing to sit back and lament the situation, though. Instead, she has started an organisation that she hopes will help to move criminal investigations forward faster and more efficiently a...

Dillie Scholtz didn't have far to go. It was just 56 metres from her house to her car, but somewhere in between those two points she vanished. Six days later the police officers who had claimed she'd run off with a secret lover would break the news to her horrified family that they had found her body. And the killer had left a calling card of sorts in her grave. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447...

As the new Showmax Original series, The ABC Killer, drops, I revisit the case I first covered in episode nine with a review of the series, an interview of director Jasyn Howes and some anecdotes I've received from people who have had personal experiences with this infamous serial murderer over the years. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/true...

In a single weekend in 1998 four men wrought havoc on Cape Town and its surrounds. By the time their horrendous spree was complete four people would be dead, another two scarred for life and countless others would be changed forever. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/truecrimesa) (Support the show on PayPal https://www.paypal.me/truecrimesa)...