Murder and Mayhem: South African True Crime

Welcome to the Episode 29 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: 8 years old, with dreams of becoming a lawyer or doctor forever extinguished as a result of one twisted man’s actions. A man who was no stranger to the legal system. A man who was given far too many second chances. This little girl’s death would spark outrage and once again bring to light the ever growing co...

Welcome to the Episode 28 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: A young girl is reported missing- snatched just metres away from the entrance of her school. A city is frantically searching for her, sharing her image on all media platforms.    That very same afternoon in another part of the city- a woman is making a cup of tea. She sits down on her couch, switches on the...

Welcome to the Episode 27 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: This case at first glance reads more like a strange movie plot. An axe wielding assailant striking at the dead of night. A narrative detailing a father’s revenge for a monstrous crime committed against his daughter. And at the trial when this man is eventually caught- a plea of insanity; of diminished crimin...

Welcome to the Episode 26 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: Described as one of the most vile serial killers in South African history, this man committed the most heinous and disturbing acts over a period of years. He went undetected and it was only by sheer coincidence that he would eventually be discovered. With no remorse; no inhibitions; and no regrets- his victi...

Welcome to the Episode 25 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: If you’ve grown up believing that the boogie man looks a certain way; acts a certain way and is only found in certain places- you may be in for a nasty surprise when you discover the truth. Those with the deepest depths of darkness don’t often look different to you or me. Those who commit the most atrocious...

Welcome to the Episode 24 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: What happens when a serial killer cannot be classified? What happens when a perpetrator seems to have no single Modus Operandi or victim profile? How do you even attempt to piece together a puzzle to catch the face behind the trail of destruction when you don’t have all the pieces? Today, I will be discussin...

Welcome to the Episode 23 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: In a beautiful Marina side neighbourhood boasting views of the mountain range, access to a sparkling expanse of water and just minutes away from the ocean- Marina Da Gama exists. This neighbourhood boasts many beautiful homes with stunning views and a wonderful atmosphere.  Families who can afford it, have c...

Welcome to the Episode 22 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: A case so shocking that a country, in the midst of pandemonium and a lockdown, could not ignore. A young woman- 8 months pregnant, lured to her death by the man she thought she could trust; the father of her unborn baby. With big dreams and a life full of plans ahead of her, her light was extinguished. She b...

Welcome to the Episode 21 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: A morning that began with such joy- winning prize money in a competition- turned into pure horror as two innocent souls lost their lives at the hands of someone they knew. Someone who was trusted by their family. For almost 3 years, the court case was postponed- time and time again and it seemed that justice...

Welcome to the Episode 20 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: Adopted by a couple who only hoped to share love and affection with him, one young man grew up and into adulthood to repay his family in the most disturbing manner.  Aided by a friend, he committed a heinous attack on his unsuspecting parents and left a country in shock when the news of the crime hit the med...

Welcome to the Episode 19 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: A day that was supposed to be full of joy and celebrations quickly turned deadly as hundreds of children were exposed to a chemical weapon. In the chaos that ensued- 13 lives were lost. And the reason for the attack in the first place? Money. A rival club suffering financially decided that drastic measures w...

Welcome to the Episode 18 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: Within a beautiful city- a hub of activity and a top tourism attraction- a dark underbelly exists. And in April of 2006- two innocent men leaving a dinner party found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. With so much talent and such bright futures- these men lost their lives in a brutal and incon...

Welcome to the Episode 17 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: In a country where gender rights have been legislated and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2006- making it the first African country to do so- here in South Africa we claim to have a constitutiion that protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation. But the hate crime statistics and cases...

Welcome to the Episode 16 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: From humble beginnings to competing and dancing in shows across the globe; one individual’s journey inspired and brought hope to so many others. Aiming to bring light and safety to the plight of so many in a community often stigmatised, abused and isolated- one individual did all they could to share a narrat...

Welcome to the Episode 15 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: In a world where at times those of a bygone generation may be forgotten, one man saw a window of opportunity to wreak havoc on one of the most vulnerable populations- the elderly.  Whereas to society- a grandmother is someone full of warmth, kindness and love- to this man, they were just soft, easy targets. ...

Welcome to the Episode 14 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: In a rural farming community on a 5 acre farm, unbeknownst to many of the public, the idyllic surroundings hid a dark and disturbing secret.  In 2011, a boy only 15 years old was dropped at a wildlife ranger training camp. Little did he know that 10 weeks later, he would be fighting for his life in hospital-...

Welcome to the Episode 13 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: Every day in South Africa, 3 women lose their lives at the hands of their partners.   This is the story of a woman who would live to tell her tale that would shock a nation. The abuse she suffered was at the hands of the man she loved; the man she trusted.  The police of Port Elizabeth would later say that h...

Welcome to the Episode 12 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: The Eastern Cape is arguably one of the most beautiful provinces in South Africa. Amongst the rolling plains, rivers, valleys and farms there lies a small, rural village- Toleni which between the years of 2008 and 2013 became known as the Village of Death. Women and children attacked in their homes at night,...

Welcome to the Episode 11 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: Whilst other girls were taking Snapchat selfies whilst watching the latest episode of the Winx club, an 11 year old girl was fighting for her life from a man she knew; a man who lived just a few doors down from her home. The last words she would utter, God knows.  This is Stacha Arendse's Story.   For images...

Welcome to the Episode 10 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: This case is every parent’s nightmare. Imagine that your child goes out with friends- only to either never return or in the case of today’s victim- to return on the brink of death. Today’s victim is not so much a victim in my eyes but a heroine as she ended up saving another life and in doing so gave her bes...

Welcome to the Episode 9 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: In a small valley just past Hermanus known for fine wines and fruit, horse rides and gorgeous dams- the veiled societal issues of poverty, illiteracy and alcohol abuse amongst those who worked the farms remained just out of sight and mind. That was until a spate of burglaries and assaults exposed the dark und...

Welcome to the Episode 8 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: South Africa is no stranger to GBV violence but each time a new case manages to make it to the news, society is still shocked. Following the unthinkable murder of Courtney Pieters, the kidnapping of two university students and the brutal events that would follow sent shock waves through the South African comm...

Welcome to the Episode 7 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: How would you feel if you sent your child to school- a supposed safe place- like any other day but instead of picking them up after school, you are called to identify their body?  In 2008- a crime almost too shocking to believe occurred in a school in the West Rand. Very soon, the media went wild and accusati...

Welcome to the Episode 6 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: What started off as an adventure, turned into a nightmare for one young woman in Thailand. Ashley Oosthuizen has been condemned to life imprisonment (25 years in Thailand) for a crime she did not commit and for which there is no evidence other than a signed parcel addressed to another person. Unlike the major...

Welcome to the Episode 5 of Murder & Mayhem: South African True Crime. About the episode: When you hear the word cult, you imagine a large group of people under the influence of one main leader committing atrocious acts of inhumanity. But what if I told you that a cult could have just 3 people and that alone could be deadly enough? With a dangerous leader at the helm, in 2008 two innocent lives we...