Crime documentaries
Former SAPS profiler on the murder that “stands out the most”
Former SAPS head profiler Dr Gérard Labuschagne discusses the true-crime documentary Original Sin: My Son The Killer, noting it as the most troubling case in his career.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer (2024)
The chilling story of Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, told by his mother, who helped him flee South Africa after he murdered his girlfriend, Andrea Venter.
Tracking Thabo Bester
A documentary about the convicted murderer and rapist who did not die in Cell 35 but was instead seen shopping in Sandton City. Two episodes 15 March, final episodes 22 March on Showmax.
Must-watch trailer for Original Sin: My Son The Killer
See the trailer for the Showmax Original true-crime documentary Original Sin: My Son The Killer, about the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren. Lands 22 March.
The Illuminated
A behind-the-scenes look at non-mainstream religious organisations throughout South Africa, including their members, beliefs, structures and controversies surrounding them.
Must-watch trailer: Tracking Thabo Bester
Streaming on 15 and 22 March 2024, Showmax Original documentary series Tracking Thabo Bester is the documentary South Africa has been waiting for.
Libby, Are You Home Yet?
This award-winning true-crime British series tells the story of a 21-year-old who was sent home alone in a taxi, from a nightclub – but never arrived.
“Compelling and riveting”: Convict Conman comes to Showmax
Stream the two-part true-crime documentary Convict Conman, about the bold investigations by journalists Jana Marx and Sasha Wein, only on Showmax.
Convict Conman
This Showmax Original true-crime series follows the investigations into Dawie de Villiers, a supposed model agency boss accused of multiple rapes, and shadowy publisher Michael O’Connor. Warning: contains descriptions of sexual abuse.
Trailer alert: Convict Conman investigates “the Kempton Park Hugh Hefner”
Showmax has dropped a trailer for Convict Conman, the docuseries investigating “the Kempton Park Hugh Hefner”. Landing on 6 and 13 December.
“He didn’t seem overly put off by what he did” – Boetie Boer now ready to binge
Psychologist Dr Labuschagne talks about meeting South African serial killer Stewart Wilken. Boetie Boer is now available to binge-watch.
Boetie Boer director Jasyn Howes on meeting serial killer Stewart Wilken
Boetie Boer director Jasyn Howes talks about meeting Stewart Wilken, the subject of Showmax’s most disturbing Original true-crime series.
Boetie Boer: Inside The Mind Of A Monster
In the most disturbing Showmax Original true-crime series to date, we go back in time to 1990 as Stewart “Boetie Boer” Wilken starts his killing spree in Gqeberha.
Watch the trailer for Boetie Boer: Inside The Mind Of A Monster
See the chilling first trailer for the Showmax Original true-crime series Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster, coming 18 October 2023.
Imibuzo S1 finale recap: Child killer Sibusiso Mpungose
The finale of South African true crime series Imibuzo Season 1, episode 10, tackles the case of Sibongile Mpungose, who killed all four of his kids to spite his wife after she served him divorce papers.
Rosemary’s Hitlist: Rosemary’s deadliest shockers
She kicked her baby, sent hitmen to kill her family, and danced in court. These Rosemary’s Hitlist moments left us reaching for life support … and life cover.
Rosemary’s Hitlist breaks record on Showmax; launches podcast
Showmax true-crime documentary Rosemary’s Hitlist has broken Devilsdorp and Steinheist records. Listen to the Rosemary’s Hitlist podcast now.
Imibuzo episode 9 recap: Lindokuhle Cele stolen by hate crime
South African true-crime series Imibuzo episode 9 exposes the hate crime murder of artist Lindokuhle Cele.
Imibuzo episode 8 recap: Trillion Dollar killer Sandile Mantsoe
South African true crime series Imibuzo Season 1, episode 8 spotlights the GBV murder of Karabo Mokoena by Trillion Dollar Legacy alleged scammer, Sandile Mantsoe.
Imibuzo episode 7 recap: Caught by a dead woman’s hands
Flavio Hlabangwane kills his lover Tshepang Pitse, chops up her body and keeps her hands in his freezer in South African true-crime series Imibuzo Season 1, episode 7.
Rosemary’s Hitlist: “the most gripping crime story since Devilsdorp”
Rosemary’s Hitlist debuts on Showmax today, and critics are calling it “the most gripping crime story since Devilsdorp”.
Rosemary’s Hitlist
Cop Rosemary Ndlovu may have sworn to protect, but what she did instead shocked South Africa. This is the story of her crime spree.
Imibuzo episode 6 recap: Mad Mani millions!
Sibongile Mani squanders a fortune when a bank error drops R14 million into her account, in South African true-crime series Imibuzo episode 6.
Imibuzo Season 1 episode 5 recap: Phumeza Pepeta, murdered by gunman in drag
South African true-crime series Imibuzo Season 1 episode 5 centres on the murder of Phumeza Pepeta, whose stalker ex-husband Xolani Mkayi snuck into her father’s funeral dressed in a wig, heels and skirt so he could kill her.