Profiler: True Crime Africa

In this episode of Profiler Africa , we’re joined by Colonel (Ret.) Kirsten Clark, former SAPS Investigative Psychologist and Criminal Behaviour Specialist, to discuss the chilling case of Kyle Ruiters. Clark conducted a psychological assessment of Ruiters in 2019, offering rare insight into his mindset, disturbing obsessions, and the dark psychological profile that emerged from her report. Ruiter...

In this episode of Profiler Africa , we’re joined by Jana Marx, author of The Krugersdorp Cult Killings: Inside Cecilia Steyn's Reign of Terror , as she takes us through the disturbing story of the Electus Per Deus cult. Between 2012 and 2016, a group led by Cecilia Steyn carried out a series of brutal murders, driven by religious extremism, manipulation, and revenge. Steyn used her influence to b...

What really happens inside South Africa’s courtrooms ? What is it like to cover the country’s most gripping murder trials ? In this episode of Profiler Africa , we sit down with Jana Marx , an award-winning journalist and true crime author, to uncover the hidden world of crime reporting . From high-profile cases to shocking behind-the-scenes moments , Jana shares what it takes to bring the truth t...

The Oscar Pistorius trial remains one of the most infamous criminal cases in South African history . Twelve years after Reeva Steenkamp’s tragic death, the case continues to spark debate about justice, privilege, and rehabilitation . In this episode of Profiler Africa , forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne , who was part of the prosecution team , joins Paul Llewellyn to break down the facts. W...

In this episode of Profiler Africa , we’re joined by one of South Africa’s most respected legal minds, Gerrie Nel . With a career spanning decades, Nel has prosecuted some of the country’s most high-profile cases , including the conviction of former police chief Jackie Selebi and leading the Oscar Pistorius murder trial . We explore his early years as a prosecutor , the challenges of working withi...

In 1994 , ex-cop Marius van den Heever was convicted of three brutal murders, arson, and weapons theft . Sentenced to life, he spent decades behind bars —until 2018 , when the High Court overturned his denied parole and set him free. How does a convicted killer walk free? What changed? In this episode of Profiler Africa , Paul Llewellyn and forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne break down the c...

In October 2021 , respected pastor Liezel de Jager returned home from her morning jog—only to be ambushed and murdered just steps from her front door. The attack was brutal, the motive unclear. Years later, her husband, Werner de Jager , was arrested for the crime—but before he could stand trial, he took his own life. In this episode of Profiler Africa , we delve into the psychological complexitie...

In 2002 , forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne walked into his first crime scene—a brutal murder that would lead to the capture of Axe Killer Jose da Silva . But what happened next was even more chilling. In this episode of Profiler Africa , we take you inside the case with rare, unnerving audio of Gerard’s interview with the killer—recorded just hours after his arrest, in the very bathroom wh...

Forensic pathologists uncover the final truths that the dead leave behind. Their work tells the untold stories of crime, tragedy, and justice —one autopsy at a time. In this episode of Profiler Africa , we sit down with Dr. Hestelle van Staden , a forensic pathologist dedicated to deciphering the secrets held within the human body . From high-profile murder cases to overlooked tragedies , she reve...

Forensic pathology is at the heart of criminal investigations—determining causes of death, uncovering hidden evidence, and bringing crucial facts to court . But what really happens behind the autopsy table? In this episode of Profiler Africa , we’re joined by Dr. Shakeera Holland , Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the University of the Witwatersrand . With years of expe...

In rural South Africa, a grim discovery: human remains with no identity, no backstory, and no immediate leads . How do forensic experts step in to solve the mystery? From analyzing bone fragments to DNA profiling and isotopic science , forensic specialists use cutting-edge techniques to uncover who the victim was, where they came from, and what happened to them . These methods not only help solve...

On the night of June 23, 2017 , Mariska du Plessis made two chilling calls to the police. In the first, she claimed her husband was violently attacking her and their son. Less than 20 minutes later, her second call told a different story— Jacques du Plessis had been shot by intruders . But what really happened that night? Mariska later claimed self-defense, citing battered woman syndrome , but inv...

In this episode of Profiler Africa , forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne unpacks the shocking murder of Gabriela Kabrins Alban , a successful marketing executive from California who was found brutally killed in a Cape Town hotel room. Her boyfriend, Diego Novella , a wealthy Guatemalan national with a history of drug use, was later convicted of her murder. We explore the toxic dynamics of the...

We’re diving into the chilling case of a teenage serial killer from Vredendal in the Western Cape. At just 14 years old, he committed his first violent crime—and his reign of terror only escalated. But could he have been stopped earlier? Join us as we unravel the harrowing details of his crimes, examine the failures that allowed him to keep killing, and ask the haunting question: Where is he now?...

In this episode of Profiler Live, we delve into the mysterious death of Susan Rohde. Was it a tragic suicide, or was there something more sinister behind it? Jason Rohde, a wealthy businessman, became the central figure in a case that raised as many questions as it answered. Join Paul Llewellyn and forensic psychology expert Gerard Labuschagne as they break down the complex details of this case. F...

In 2008, the brutal murder of Anisha van Niekerk shocked South Africa. This week, Profiler Africa takes you inside the case with forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne and retired Lt. Col. Jan de Lange, who led the investigation. Together, they unravel the sequence of events and the evidence that brought clarity to a deeply unsettling crime. What were the key breakthroughs in the investigation?...

This Week on Profiler Africa: A True Crime ExclusiveFor the first time ever, South Africa’s premier criminal profilers—Gerard Labuschagne and Micki Pistorius—sit down for an unmissable conversation. Micki, the trailblazing founder of the forensic psychology section at the South African Police Service (SAPS), and Gerard, her successor, take you behind the scenes of profiling the country’s most chil...

Paul & Gerard discuss the case of SA’s youngest ever female serial killer. Join the chat Live on Profiler Africa on Youtube Tuesdays at 8pm CAT.

This week on Profiler Africa, we uncover the chilling case of Elifasi Msomi, infamously known as "The Axe Killer" & "The Tokoloshe Killer". Between 1953 and 1955, Msomi, from southern KwaZulu-Natal, claimed he was driven by a tokoloshe—an evil spirit—to commit 15 brutal murders. His actions left an indelible mark on South African history, shocking the nation and raising complex questions about...

How Gerard and his team tracked down the Quarry Killer. We revisit a case we've discussed before on the audio pod, this time we get to really deep dive into the case and how it unfolded with crime scene photographs, forensics and more. Head over to Youtube to watch!

In 2011, tragedy struck the Rosebank police station in Johannesburg when a disgruntled police clerk attacked station commander Lieutenant Colonel Thandi Mkhize and Captain Neelavathi Naidu before turning the gun on himself. The incident, which occurred following a recent disciplinary hearing where the clerk was found guilty of mishandling firearms, shocked the nation and left lingering questions a...

On March 13, 2024, Sifiso Mkhwanazi was convicted of the brutal murders of six Johannesburg sex workers. These heinous crimes occurred between April and October 2022 within the confines of his father's panel beating workshop located in downtown Joburg. Delving into the intricate details of the case, Gerard unfolds the chilling narrative as recounted by the perpetrator himself during a recent inter...

We're diving into a case that rocked the quiet neighborhood of Bellville in Cape Town. It was August 21, 2019, when Lynette Volschenk, known for her gentle nature and dedication to her work, crossed paths with Kyle Ruiters, who would later infamously be dubbed the Seesig Monster. Their encounter unleashed a nightmare scenario, shedding light on Kyle's dark obsession with serial killers and leading...

Gerhard Ackerman was convicted on charges of rape, human trafficking and the unlawful possession, creation and distribution of child pornography. Ackerman was also found guilty of attempted murder for “selling” the sexual services of a youth to disgraced advocate Paul Kennedy, who he knew was HIV-positive. This is the story of one of the bad guys.

In episode two we deep-dive into the story of Anisha Van Niekerk, and how Gerard and Jannie De Lange worked tirelessly to solve the case and bring justice to the family.