True Crime South Africa-logo

True Crime South Africa

12 Favorites

True Crime South Africa is the first victim-focused true-crime podcast in the country. Host, Nicole Engelbrecht, researches each case herself using media coverage, trial footage, social media sources and often by talking to some of the individuals involved. Using her skills as a creative writer and her passion for true crime, she crafts each script to ensure that listeners are given a deep dive into the case mechanics as well as an understanding of the victims as human beings. The podcast covers both solved and unsolved South African true crime cases. The unsolved cases are often cold cases which can benefit from awareness being brought to them. This concept has been used in the US for many years and to great success. The listenership formed around true crime podcasts becomes a community that advocates for victims and resolution for families. South African victims now have their own voice too. True Crime South Africa publishes weekly, alternating between full-length case episodes and shorter minisodes which discuss true crime cases that are currently in the media. The podcast launched on the 22nd of June 2019 and is making waves in the South African podcast community. On the True Crime South Africa social media pages, South African true crime fans finally have a place to call home where they can express their views on cases and discuss the details with like-minded people. True Crime South Africa is published in conjunction with Arena Holdings, publishers of TimesLIVE, BusinessLIVE, and SowetanLIVE. Keywords: crime, true crime, murder, abduction, South Africa, police, law and order

Location:

United States

Description:

True Crime South Africa is the first victim-focused true-crime podcast in the country. Host, Nicole Engelbrecht, researches each case herself using media coverage, trial footage, social media sources and often by talking to some of the individuals involved. Using her skills as a creative writer and her passion for true crime, she crafts each script to ensure that listeners are given a deep dive into the case mechanics as well as an understanding of the victims as human beings. The podcast covers both solved and unsolved South African true crime cases. The unsolved cases are often cold cases which can benefit from awareness being brought to them. This concept has been used in the US for many years and to great success. The listenership formed around true crime podcasts becomes a community that advocates for victims and resolution for families. South African victims now have their own voice too. True Crime South Africa publishes weekly, alternating between full-length case episodes and shorter minisodes which discuss true crime cases that are currently in the media. The podcast launched on the 22nd of June 2019 and is making waves in the South African podcast community. On the True Crime South Africa social media pages, South African true crime fans finally have a place to call home where they can express their views on cases and discuss the details with like-minded people. True Crime South Africa is published in conjunction with Arena Holdings, publishers of TimesLIVE, BusinessLIVE, and SowetanLIVE. Keywords: crime, true crime, murder, abduction, South Africa, police, law and order

Language:

English


Episodes
Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 176 The Murder of Courtney Pieters

3/2/2025
When a 3-year-old girl goes missing from her home, a desperate 9-day search ensues by police, her family and community. All manner of possibilities are considered, but the truth lies far closer to home than anyone would suspect. (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:01:06:19

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 175 The Serial Crimes of Velaphi Ndlangamandla

2/21/2025
When the people of Phoswa Village in Mpumalanga suddenly found themselves the targets of an armed serial predator in 1997, no one was sure who they could trust. Almost a year after the murders began, a task team was formed to hunt down the Saloon Killer, but the path to justice was littered with investigative challenges and the perpetrator took full advantage. (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:57:56

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 174 The Murder of Jaco Engelbrecht

2/3/2025
When Jaco Engelbrecht was found dead at his home, his wife was the first and only suspect. The trial, though, would not play out like any ordinary murder trial and the verdict and sentence would leave South Africa grappling with the definition of justice and to whom it should apply (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:01:02:47

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Special: Human Trafficking - Part 3

1/25/2025
True Crime South Africa Specials focus in on one specific true crime topic taking listeners on a deep dive. This special focuses on Human Trafficking (Part 3/3) - What is it? Who and where are the victims? Who are the perpetrators? Listen to the first two parts of the series: Special: Human Trafficking Part 1 https://iono.fm/e/1444050 Special: Human Trafficking Part 2 https://iono.fm/e/1447458 Other related episodes: Financial Crimes in South Africa https://iono.fm/e/1372890 Check out the organisations mentioned: https://www.a21.org/index.php https://www.lovejustice.ngo/south-africa https://www.stronger2gether.org/za/ Human Trafficking Hotline: 0800-222-777 (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?locale.x=en_US) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:37:34

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 173 The Murder of Andre Klynsmith

1/6/2025
A retired man goes missing and his fiancé says he went golfing and never returned home. When his body is found in his vehicle, though, the evidence doesn't match the story, but police are stumped until someone just can't hold the truth in anymore. (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:55:17

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 172 The Serial Crimes of the Smeddles

1/1/2025
When a young couple move into a suburban townhouse complex, they quickly ingratiate themselves into the community. They seem like a lovely pair - ordinary, just living life like anyone else. What their neighbours don't know is that the pair have a dark past and an even darker future - one that they're all about to be pulled into. (This episode was first published in the Patreon feed in November 2023. Certain sections have been edited to make it suitable for the regular feed). (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:38:32

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 171 A Dangerous Adventure

12/18/2024
When an unsuspecting motorist picks up a young couple who simply looks down on their luck, his life changes forever. When the couple, calling themselves Bonnie & Clyde, finally hand themselves over, the question remains, who really called the shots? (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:46:27

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Station Strangler: Interview with Nadine Cloete

12/9/2024
Idea Candy and Showmax recently released a documentary film about one of South Africa's most notorious unresolved serial crimes. The Station Strangler explores the disappearance and subsequent murder of 22 boys from Mitchells Plein from the 1980s until a face was given to the terrifying phantom. With Norman Simons now out on parole for the single murder he was convicted of, this film uncovers the deep pain that still exists around this case. In this episode I speak with the director, Nadine Cloete about her experience in delving into this case which was so close to home. (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:42:01

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Introducing...Stripped

12/5/2024
I don’t know about you, but I really love fiction and audio drama podcasts. It’s like a watching a movie, but with your ears. So, listening to a movie, I guess - but way better. And although South Africa’s podcast landscape has grown hugely in the last five years that I’ve been doing this, we haven’t yet ventured into fictionalised podcasts and that wait is over! South Africa’s first audio drama podcast has hit the air…um…internet waves and it is so good! So good in fact that I wanted to share a promo for it here in the feed to help get more listeners to it because I’d really like to see more of these. It’s also a really important story - the basis of which is actually a real life tale. Listen to Stripped: https://startlivingmy.life/web/stripped/ https://soundcloud.com/thomas-w-e-budge/stripped-an-audio-drama-podcast?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:03:12

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 170 The Murder of Allison Plaatjies

12/4/2024
26 year old Allison Plaatjies life is on an upward trajectory. She's just got her first full-time teaching post, her first car and she's living in her own flat. But there is one part of Allison's life that is not going as planned. Her ex-boyfriend refuses to leave her alone and soon, his obsession will turn deadly. (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:01:03:14

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Interview - The Fact & Fiction of Crime in SA with Deon Meyer

11/21/2024
In today's episode I have the incredible pleasure of chatting with one of the world's most successful crime fiction writers, Deon Meyer. Meyer's books have enthralled and captivated readers in South Africa for decades and our conversation reveals how that often entails getting closer to real crime than one might think. This interview was first published on Jonathan Ball's Pagecast podcast. To hear more interviews with South African authors, follow Pagecast wherever you listen to True Crime South Africa. Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:46:17

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Introducing ... Something Shifted

11/20/2024
Today I’m popping into your feed to introduce you to a podcast I love. Something Shifted is created and hosted by Sean Loots who is an incredible human and someone I’m very honoured to know. I already know you appreciate real life stories and true crime listeners often also listen to other stories of survival and big life events, so I have no doubt you’re going to love Something Shifted as much as I do. I highly recommend you subscribe to Something Shifted wherever you listen to True Crime South Africa. Find all the links on the website: https://somethingshifted.co.za/ Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:02:40

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 169 The Serial Crimes of Shaun Oosthuizen

11/19/2024
Between 2015 and 2018, retirement homes in Gauteng and Mpumalanga became the scenes of horrific murders. Some of the most vulnerable members of society were being targeted and the clock was running down for police to make an arrest before another woman was killed (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:51:32

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 168 The Matjane Family Murders

10/31/2024
When a woman arrives at the home of a rural plot owner begging for assistance to take her own life, a tale of filicide unfolds unlike anything seen in South African courts before. Did a combination of medication result in the death of two young children? Or was the motive much less complicated than that? (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:01:24:29

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Introducing: When Change Happens

10/17/2024
Today, I’m happy to bring you a sneak preview of the first episode of When Change Happens, a podcast series about ordinary South Africans coping with extraordinary changes in their lives, and hosted by legendary journalist Ruda Landman. To hear the rest subscribe to When Change Happens on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Iono or go to www.changepodcasts.co za for more information. In this episode of When Change Happens: Author and comedian, Costa Carastavrakis chats to our host, Ruda Landman, about his journey to recovery after battling a drug and alcohol addiction. He details where and how his struggles with addiction started and the life-changing moment that forced him to turn his life around and change for the better. Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:42:55

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 167 The Serial Crimes of Sello Mapunya

10/10/2024
From 2014, a serial predator had been roaming the suburbs of Tshwane. His modus operandi was so well thought-out that for five years he remained undetected. Then, a detective with a personal mission driving her singular professional focus is assigned to the case, and soon the predator has nowhere left to run (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:45:00

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

DNA Hits of the Year 2024: Bonus Episode Brough to you by Solal

10/1/2024
Each year, countries across the world submit their most memorable and groundbreaking forensic DNA success stories for the DNA Hit of the Year. In this bonus episode, brought to you by the lovely folk at Solal, you'll hear about the six finalists. These are cases that will blow your mind with the power of DNA! Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:51:06

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 166 Death on Mdlalose Street

9/29/2024
When two vehicles collide with a group of pedestrians four children are left dead, and two others have their lives forever changed. When the dust settles the drivers of the vehicles have a lot to answer for and their culpability in the deaths is soon questioned. (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:51:10

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 165 The Murder of Alberto Costa

9/16/2024
Alberto Costa was sure that he had done everything he could to secure his home on a farm in Stellenbosch, but there was a group of men living nearby who had decided they wanted what was in his house, and they were not going to let anything stand in their way. (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:41:31

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Episode 164 The Murder of Tshepang Pitse

9/9/2024
When medical student Tshepang Pitse suddenly stops answering her dad's calls and messages he presumes his daughter is deep in her studies, but when a horrific discovery is made in her boyfriend's freezer, a terrible tale of abuse and manipulation spills out. (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) Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube · Twitter · LinkedIn

Duration:00:38:28