This week on Profiler Africa , forensic psychologist Gérard Labuschagne uncovers the terrifying world of muti murders — killings where body parts are harvested for traditional medicine. These aren’t random acts of violence. They’re deliberate, driven by belief, greed, and an underground economy that thrives in the shadows. We dive into: What muti murder really means — and why it’s not just “ritual” A shocking case of a mother who killed her own child How investigators navigate cultural taboos, c...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 31
This week, Profiler Africa goes behind the scenes of South Africa’s most high-stakes standoffs with Dr Ernst Strydom — SAPS’ former National Coordinator of Hostage Negotiations. Host Paul Llewellyn and forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne dig into the psychology of crisis and negotiation, guided by the man who trained the nation’s negotiators and led SAPS through hijackings, bomb threats, and terrorist incidents. 🔍 In this episode: What makes a hostage-taker tick — and how negotiators break...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Season 2Ep. 30
In this explosive episode, Paul and Gerard sit down with retired Colonel Tollie Vreugdenburg — former head of SAPS Counter-Terrorism — to expose the chilling truth behind one of the most dangerous domestic terror plots in South African history: the Boeremag. This white supremacist militia planned to bomb the country into civil war, assassinate Nelson Mandela, and launch a violent coup. But thanks to Tollie and a small team of investigators, South Africa narrowly avoided its own 9/11. Inside the ...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 48 min•Season 2Ep. 30
This week on Profiler Africa , we go deep into one of the most brutal and misunderstood crime waves in South Africa — farm murders. Host Paul Llewellyn and forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne are joined by veteran detective Gawie “Sakkie” Louwrens, who’s investigated over 300 farm killings. Now retired from SAPS, Sakkie leads an independent rural crime unit taking on what the police can’t — or won’t. Forget the headlines and political spin. This episode is about the real people living — and...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Profiler Africa | Episode Out Now Who’s really killing who in South Africa? In one of our most explosive episodes yet, Paul Llewellyn and forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne sit down with Dr Chris de Kock , former head of SAPS Crime Research, to pull the mask off one of South Africa’s most politicised crime topics: farm murders . Forget the hashtags, headlines, and hype. We’re cutting through the myth, the fear, and the politics — and getting to the truth. What farm murders are — and what t...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Season 2Ep. 28
We delve into one of the most disturbing familicides in South African history — the Etwatwa family murders. On May 23, 2013, a 14-year-old boy in Johannesburg’s East Rand took an axe to his mother, grandmother, six-year-old brother, and four-month-old sister. Four lives ended in one night. A quiet street turned crime scene. A community left reeling. And a nation asking: how could a child commit such horror? We unpack the chilling events, the whispers of satanism and abuse, and the state's strugg...
May 23, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 3
This is the case that chilled Johannesburg to the bone. Between 1989 and 1992, Kobus Geldenhuys — a police officer sworn to protect — unleashed a wave of terror across the city. He raped, murdered, and broke into homes while wearing the badge. By the time it was over, five women were dead, and a community had lost all trust in the uniform. This week, we dig into how Geldenhuys hid in plain sight, and the twisted psychology that drove his crimes. We’re joined by journalist Janine Lazarus , who wo...
May 22, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Psychologist. Intelligence specialist. Co-author of Killer Stories . This week, Paul and Gerard sit down with Brin Hodgskiss for a heavyweight conversation on the dark art of criminal profiling — from Johannesburg to the UK. Brin’s career spans burglary to terrorism, serial rape to murder, with 15 years in British law enforcement after starting out in SAPS. Now with the NHS, he brings that same insight to storytelling, consulting on the psychology of narrative and transformation. We get into: Pr...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 2Ep. 27
No case breakdown. No fluff. Just a gripping conversation with one of the world’s top arson and bombing experts. We’re joined by Ed Nordskog —retired arson/bomb investigator for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, FBI instructor, US Marine vet, and author of six essential books on fire-related crime. With over 2,100 arson cases under his belt and profiles on dozens of serial arsonists, Ed is the real deal. Together with Paul and Gerard, he unpacks: – What makes a serial arsonist tick– How inve...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 59 min•Season 2Ep. 26
What’s it like creating true crime content in South Africa? This week, we sit down with YouTuber and storyteller Tshego Paledi (44K+ subscribers) for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at life in the local crime content game. No case breakdowns—just an honest convo about the highs, hate, ethics, and emotional toll of documenting real stories of violence, injustice, and survival. From the cases that changed her to the criticism she faces, Tshego joins Paul and Gerard to unpack what it really means to ...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Series Description: South African Serial is a 12-part true crime anthology series. Each episode investigates one unforgettable South African crime. Episode Description: In our first episode, we unpack the disturbing case of Stewart “Boetie Boer” Wilken — one of South Africa’s most dangerous serial killers. With a history of necrophilia, cannibalism, and a terrifying God complex, Wilken confessed to 12 murders and was convicted of 7. This episode draws from exclusive case files and a rare two-day...
May 01, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1
This week: one of the rarest — and most horrifying — crimes on earth. A baby ripped from the womb in a violent act of theft. We go deep into the case of Loretta Cook , a 24-year-old from Toekomsrus, whose web of lies led to murder and left a newborn fighting for life. South Africa has seen not one, but at least three known caesarean kidnappings — an almost unheard-of crime globally. Why here? Why now? Gerard Labuschagne and Paul Llewellyn unpack: Why women fake pregnancies and kill to make them ...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 2Ep. 24
He murdered his family with an axe — thencalmly called emergency services like nothing happened. We're digging into one of South Africa’s mostshocking crimes: the brutal axe murders committed by 20-year-old Henri van Breda . In 2015, inside the family’s luxury estate inStellenbosch, Henri killed his parents and brother—and nearly murdered his teenage sister, who somehow survived. The aftermath? A strange 911 call, self-inflicted wounds, and a trial that exposed chilling levels of control, detach...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 23
We're stepping out of the morgue and into the mind — with one of the world’s top forensic psychologists. This week on Profiler Africa , our guest is Dr. Helinä Häkkänen , a Finnish powerhouse whose work has shaped war crimes trials, courtroom psychology, and criminal investigations from South Africa to The Hague. With over 60 publications and a career advising the ICC and European law enforcement, she’s the real deal — no drama, just science. We unpack what real profiling looks like — far from t...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 22
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we take a deep dive into the terrifying case of Stewart Wilken, South Africa's most notorious serial killer. Wilken's killing spree, which spanned the early 1990s, left a trail of horrific murders that shocked the nation. Through an in-depth analysis of his background, his brutal crimes, and the dark psychology behind his actions, we uncover the twisted motivations that drove his reign of terror. From his troubled childhood in Boksburg to his descent into viol...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 2Ep. 21
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. Ruiters, who brutally murdered and dismembered his victim, displayed traits of narcissism, manipulation, a...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Season 2Ep. 20
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 brainwash followers into believing they were on a divine mission, leading to a chilling and violent r...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 41 min•Season 2Ep. 19
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 to light . 🔍 Get an insider’s look at true crime journalism, the challenges of reporting on brutal c...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 18
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. What really happened on that fateful night ? What do we know for certain? And how did the case evolve...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Season 2Ep. 17
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 within South Africa’s complex legal and political landscape , and the lasting impact of his work on the j...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Season 2Ep. 16
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 case. Gerard personally assessed van den Heever for parole in 2014 , offering rare insight into a man...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 41 min•Season 2Ep. 15
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 complexities of intimate partner homicide . What drives a spouse to kill? Why do some offenders display post-cr...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 14
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 where the murder took place . It’s a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the mind of a murderer and the inves...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 2Ep. 13
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 reveals the reality of unnatural death in South Africa and the vital role forensic pathology plays in th...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 12
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 experience overseeing hundreds of cases annually for the Gauteng Department of Health, Dr. Holland provi...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 11
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 crimes but also provide closure to families searching for answers. In this episode of Profiler Afric...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 2Ep. 10
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 investigators uncovered evidence of a volatile and destructive relationship where both partners contrib...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Season 2Ep. 9
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 their relationship, the psychological factors behind the crime, and the chilling details that made this...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 2Ep. 8
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?This is a case that Gerard Labuschagne worked on personally, so you’ll get unparalleled insights and t...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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 culture, belief, and justice.Join us as we unravel the psychological and cultural dimensions of Mso...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 7
