6 December 2023

Convict Conman

In 2012, Carte Blanche journalist Sasha Wein receives a tip-off to investigate Dawie de Villiers, a Kempton Park photographer and founder of Modelling South Africa. Described in the first episode as “a sophisticated predator” and “the Kempton Park Hugh Hefner”, de Villiers is accused of fraud and of being sexually inappropriate with aspiring models, some below the age of 16.

Nine years later, in 2021, with de Villiers sentenced to life in jail, investigative journalist Jana Marx (Devilsdorp) receives a tip-off to look into Michael O’Connor. He runs a photography publication and is looking to start business and fashion magazines too. It’s during the COVID pandemic, so his staff have never met him - or even seen his face.

O’Connor claims de Villiers is a “good friend” but what else do they have in common?

A two-part Showmax Original true-crime series, Convict Conman is produced by IdeaCandy (Devilsdorp, Rosemary’s Hitlist, Steinheist) and marks the documentary series directorial debut of SAFTA-winning editor Nikki Comninos, nominated for three SAFTAs in the past two years for her work on Steinheist, Devilsdorp and Murder in Paris.

Watch it now

More like this

Crime Crime documentaries Documentaries

Alert: Missing Persons Unit S3

Showrunner John Eisendrath and Jamie Foxx are behind this police procedural. After her son goes missing, Nikki Batista joins the Philadelphia Missing Persons Unit, helping find people's loved ones as she searches for her own.

Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream

These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we're living in today.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Slay Queens S1

A raw, unapologetic,and bold 5-part docuseries exposing the hustle, glamour, and risks behind social media fame. New episodes on Showmax every Friday.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Navajo Police: Class 57 S1

Recruits face grueling training, personal demons, and cultural pride as they join the Navajo Police to protect the people of the reservation.

Slay Queens: Inno Morolong on the dark side of the lifestyle

Influencer and reality star Inno Morolong tells viewers what to expect from docuseries Slay Queens, landing 31 October 2025 on Showmax.

Original South Africa

Die Stories van Afrikaans S1

More than 100 voices and rich archival material tell the stories that have shaped Afrikaans over four centuries.

Made in South Africa

MobLand S1

Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan propel this gripping, gritty crime drama series that follows two powerful families engaged in an intense power struggle.

Big mobs, small jobs: 10 crime series to stream on Showmax

Not everybody can be the Godfather. From MobLand to The Cleaning Lady to Gangs of London, we look at 11 small but essential jobs that take care of the organising behind organised crime.