TimesLIVE Podcasts True Crime South Africa

True Crime South Africa

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
Weekly English Explicit South Africa True Crime · News Narrated by Scott Peter Smith
273 Episodes
12 – 32

Episode 143 The Murder of Juanita Josephs

In a small town called Sir Lowry's Pass, two predators are hunting. It's 2009, and 7-year-old Juanita Josephs disappears from outside her home. The horrifying riddle will be solved within 24 hours, but the truth is more than most can handle. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on Patreon…
28 Jan 43 min

Episode 142 The Murder of Refilwe Seroba & Sarah Makwati

In 2007, sisters Refilwe Seroba & Sarah Makwati were murdered on the same day in two different locations by the same offender - Refilwe's husband. Although the man admitted guilt immediately it would be almost nine years before the bars of a prison cell closed behind him for the final…
21 Jan 47 min

Episode 141 The Murder of Annette Bouwer

When 47-year-old Annette Bouwer suddenly fell deathly ill everyone around her was completely shocked. The woman had been the picture of health but within months she was found dead in her bed by her husband Colin. The doctor who had treated Annette, though, felt that something was off, and he…
14 Jan 59 min

Bonus Episode: 2023 Wrap & Blooper Reel

In the final in a series of bonus episodes for the season, I share a wrap of the pod (and my) activities in 2023, what to expect in 2024, and a blooper reel of my funniest slip-ups and furry interruptions in 2023. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on…
1 Jan 39 min

Episode 140 The Murder of Charmelin Davids

When 36-year-old Charmelin Davids is murdered in a random attack on the street her family is horrified at the brutality of the attack. When the pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, though, their horror only increases as they realise her murder was anything but random. (24-hr trauma helpline…
31 Dec 2023 45 min

Bonus Episode CBS Justice Interview Omnibus

In the next in your series of festive bonus episodes, I've collated all of the interviews I've had the honour of conducting with some of the stars of CBS Justice's Originals and other series into an omnibus. Listen to crime fighting stars Dr Richard Shepherd, Prof Paul Britton, Louise Shorter,…
26 Dec 2023 2 hr 18 min

Episode 139 The Kroonstad Rail Disaster

In January 2018 as passengers on the Shosholoza Meyl were heading home to Gauteng from their festive celebrations with family in other provinces, the unthinkable happened, and for 24 passengers, the journey and their lives, were cut short. Listen to the So What? Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-so-what/id1713698464 (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support…
23 Dec 2023 43 min

Episode 138 The Murder of Mike Thomson

In 2007, the Razor Gang terrorised Johannesburg suburbs. Before the gang was apprehended, they would take the life of at least one victim and forever change many more with their violence. (Buy Debbie Thomson's book: https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Country-Made-Cry-Compassion/dp/0639835449) (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/truecrimesa) (Support the show on…
17 Dec 2023 1 hr 06 min

Bonus Episode: The Serial Crimes of Jack Mogale

This is the first in a series of bonus episodes I'll be releasing this month to thank you for your incredible support throughout the year. This episode was first published on the Patreon feed in Sept. 2020. Promo: Our True Crime Podcast Instagram · Pinterest · Facebook · YouTube ·…
12 Dec 2023 42 min

Episode 137 The Murder of Nandi Mbizane

When 27-year-old Nandi Mbizane disappeared from her townhouse in 2012, the two main suspects were her current and ex partners. Both men had a story to tell, but the evidence would support only one of those versions. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/truecrimesa) (Support the show…
10 Dec 2023 49 min

Episode 135 The Canal

In the arid province of the Northern Cape, a canal brings irrigation opportunities to local communities. For all the life that runs through that water, though, an almost equal amount of death is present. (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)…
26 Nov 2023 45 min

Introducing: Abaxoxi The Storytellers

Popping into your feed to introduce a brand-new podcast from Brightrock and Change Podcasts which I have no doubt you're going to love. Abaxoxi - The Storytellers Listen to ground-breaking conversations with hosts, Rehema Isa and Lebo Biko, and their special guests as they unlock local, intercontinental, and intergenerational stories…
22 Nov 2023 1 min

Episode 134 The Heidelberg Murders

In October 2003 Heidelberg was rocked by a mass murder at a home in a quiet suburban street. The investigation would reveal that, rather than a home invasion, the motive for the murders had been a dark obsession. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/truecrimesa) (Support the…
19 Nov 2023 55 min

Bonus Episode (Brought to you by Showmax) - Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster

The hit Showmax Original documentary Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster is available to binge on Showmax from tomorrow, Wednesday, 15 November 2023, having been hailed as “terrifying” (Fortress of Solitude), “spine-chilling” (Jacaranda FM), and “riveting” (Heart FM). As Algoa FM says, “Everyone is talking about it.” In…
14 Nov 2023 21 min

Bonus Episode: When Darkness Calls Part 2: International True Crime Pod Collab

Halloween never ends right? Right. I might be 12 days late in releasing this incredible collab, but great content has no expiry date ;) This Halloween, thirteen true crime podcasts (including True Crime South Africa) come together to share dark and disturbing stories. From haunted houses to serial killers, these…
12 Nov 2023 1 hr 11 min

Bonus Episode: When Darkness Calls Part 1: International True Crime Pod Collab

Halloween never ends right? Right. I might be 12 days late in releasing this incredible collab, but great content has no expiry date ;) This Halloween, thirteen true crime podcasts (including True Crime South Africa) come together to share dark and disturbing stories. From haunted houses to serial killers, these…
12 Nov 2023 1 hr 13 min

Episode 133 The Murder of Charlene Jooste

When 49-year-old Charlene Jooste was found deceased in her home in 2021, the rope around her neck indicated that perhaps she had taken her own life. A deadly secret from a decade before, though, would illuminate the truth and soon suicide was completely discounted. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the…
5 Nov 2023 59 min

Episode 132 The Murder of Klaas Jonkheid

When 48-year-old media specialist and consumer psychologist Klaas Jonkheid failed to arrive for a banquet dinner after a conference he was attending in Cape Town, those who knew him immediately knew something was wrong. The following day, a horrific discovery was made. (24-hr trauma helpline 082-821-3447) (Support the show on…
30 Oct 2023 37 min
12 – 32