Latest news with #MosesSithole
IOL News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Gripping true-crime series explores the legacy of notorious serial killer Moses Sithole
'The ABC Killer' is a twisty true-crime documentary series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Image: Supplied. The gripping trailer has been released for the upcoming true-crime documentary series, "The ABC Killer", which takes an unsettling look into the life of notorious serial killer Moses Sithole. The Showmax series revisits a dark chapter in South Africa's history, offering both a haunting narrative and a fresh perspective on a case that still sends shivers down the spine. Three decades ago, Tamsen de Beer, a rookie journalist at "The Star" newspaper, received an unprecedented call that would forever alter her life and career. The voice on the other end of the line claimed to be South Africa's most prolific serial killer, calling himself "The ABC Killer" – a name derived from his modus operandi of targeting young, black women across vulnerable areas like Atteridgeville, Boksburg and Cleveland in Gauteng. Tamsen de Beer. Image: Supplied. In a chilling confession, De Beer recounts her journey in the trailer, stating: "It was like a journey I was on with him. We were bonded in a strange, ugly way. I was hoping he was okay all the time, which is absolutely crazy." Her disturbing connection with Sithole came during the same year that the late Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first democratically elected president. Sithole was ultimately convicted of 38 murders, 40 rapes and six robberies, all committed in broad daylight over just a year and while sober. "This was the biggest case of our history at the time," reflects former detective Derrick Nosworthy in the trailer. "I don't think we had ever had a case where there were so many people murdered by potentially one offender," he continues. Former detective Derrick Nosworthy in "The ABC Killer". Image: Supplied. Director Jasyn Howes, who was a young boy in Johannesburg during the height of Sithole's killing spree, draws parallels with infamous American serial killer Ted Bundy, noting, 'He was our Ted Bundy.' The three-part series follows Howes's critically acclaimed first documentary, "Boetie Boer", about another infamous 90s serial killer, Stewart Wilken, which was nominated for various Saftas last year. In "The ABC Killer", Howes engages some of the key figures from the harrowing saga. Interviewees include de Beer alongside her night editor, Alameen Brendan Templeton, who expresses concerns for her safety. South Africa's first profiler, Micki Pistorius, and several former detectives also contribute their insights regarding one of the most chilling cases of their careers. The series brings audiences closer to the voices of resilience through firsthand accounts, such as that of survivor Buyiswa Swakhamisu, who relives her traumatic experience with Sithole. 'He used the promise of work to convince her to follow him,' it was revealed. Survivor Buyiswa Swakhamisu in "The ABC Killer". Image: Supplied. The documentary promises exclusivity with unique content, including an anonymous inmate's video interview with Sithole, as well as official archival footage of his 1995 police questioning. Howes, in a similar fashion to "Boetie Boer", employs extensive re-enactments filmed at real-world locations integral to Sithole's story, including "The Star" newspaper headquarters and the Pretoria High Court. Gifter Ngobenisen portrays Sithole, while Louise van der Merwe steps into the role of De Beer. Rounding out the cast is Graham Hopkins as Judge George Curlewis. With meticulous research involving diary entries from de Beer, transcripts of her phone conversations with Sithole, and intimate letters to clinical psychologist Dr Giada Del Fabbro, the series promises a thorough examination of a case rife with implications about society, crime and empathy. Even while serving an astonishing 2 410 years in prison, Sithole remains a chilling figure, reportedly studying law after completing a degree in theology. "The ABC Killer" is set to premiere on Showmax on Tuesday, July 22.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The ABC Killer': Showmax Drops Trailer For Doc Series On 'South Africa's Ted Bundy'
EXCLUSIVE: Here's a chilling trailer for the latest true-crime doc series out of South Africa. Showmax's The ABC Killer will look into the grim story of serial killer Moses Sithole, who was convicted of 38 murders, 40 rapes and six robberies, all committed in the space of just over a year, in broad daylight. 'I thought the devil has come down to Earth,' says former detective Paul Nkomo. More from Deadline Who "Survived 'Til '25"? Taking The Temperature Of The International Television Industry As Sector Wrestles With Strike Hangover & Financial Strife NBC Sitcom 'Superstore' Opening African Outlet Through Showmax Remake Showmax Cooking Up 'Koek' Season 2 Following Sky/NBCU-Backed Relaunch The three-parter will go back 30 years – just months after Nelson Mandela had become South Africa's first democratically elected president – to when rookie journalist Tamsen de Beer, working a night shift at The Star newspaper, received a life-changing call from a man who claimed to be South Africa's most prolific serial killer. Through repeat conversations, the two developed a disturbing rapport. 'It was like a journey I was on with him,' says de Beer in the trailer. 'We were bonded in a strange, ugly way. I was hoping he was okay all the time, which is absolutely crazy.' Sithole would target young Black women across Atteridgeville, Boksburg and Cleveland in Gauteng – the 'ABC' in his nickname. The doc comes from director Jasyn Howes, who is leading his second Showmax series in a row about a 1990s South African serial killer. The first, Boetie Boer, about murderer Stewart Wilken, was nominated at last year's South African Film and Television Awards for Best Documentary Series and Best Editor (Jaco Laubscher, who also cut The ABC Killer). Like Boetie Boer, the show uses extensive reenactments, mostly filmed in the real-world locations such as The Star's offices, Germiston Train Station, Pretoria High Court and the factory where Sithole was finally caught. Gifter Ngobenisen plays Sithole, with Louise van der Merwe as de Beer and Monte-Carlo Golden Nymph and SAFTA Best Actor nominee Graham Hopkins as Judge George Curlewis. Howes and SAFTA-winning writer Andy Petersen had access to transcripts of telephone calls between de Beer and Sithole, and her diary entry from the night of the first call. During filming, Howes tracked down many of those close to the story, including including de Beer and her night editor at The Star, Alameen Brendan Templeton, who admits in the trailer that he was worried his journalist 'could end up as one of [Sithole's] victims.' Contributions come from the likes of South African profiler Micki Pistorius, former detectives Ettiene 'Vinyl' Viljoen, Frans van Niekerk, Paul Nkomo and Derrick Nosworthy, who says, 'This was the biggest case of our history at the time. I don't think we had ever had a case where there were so many people murdered by potentially one offender.' Deputy national prosecutor George Baloyi revisits his case against Sithole, and attorneys Anthony Richards and Eben Jordaan discuss their defence of him, while survivor Buyiswa Swakhamisu relives the day of her attack and her own brave pursuit of justice. Sithole is now serving 2,410 years in prison. 'He was our Ted Bundy,' said Howes, who was a young boy in Johannesburg at the time of the crimes. The ABC Killer will be available in full on Showmax from Tuesday, July 22. [youtube Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media 'Poker Face' Season 2 Guest Stars: From Katie Holmes To Simon Hellberg
