It Happened Here

It’s Sunday, 11 November 2012, when three people stroll into the Pretoria Art Museum on Wessels street in Pretoria, and stroll out again with six of South Africa’s most historic and valuable art works. Two days later, four of those pieces would be discovered in the most unlikely place…

Thanks to my interviewees from Stephan Welz & Co: https://www.swelco.co.za/

 

Sources:

https://theworld.org/stories/2012-11-12/south-african-art-heist-thieves-steal-2m-worth-paintings-pretoria-art-museum

https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2012-nov-12-la-fg-wn-south-africa-art-theft-2-million-20121112-story.html

https://ewn.co.za/2012/11/14/Mystery-still-surrounds-art-heist

https://ewn.co.za/2012/11/13/Police-hunt-for-artwork-thieves

https://ewn.co.za/2012/11/12/Cameras-may-help-catch-R15m-art-thieves

https://ewn.co.za/2012/11/13/Police-probe-art-heist-tip-offs

https://ewn.co.za/2012/11/13/Stolen-iconic-art-will-likely-turn-up---SAHRA

https://ewn.co.za/2012/11/11/Robbers-strike-Pretoria-museum

https://www.whistleblowing.co.za/art-theft-in-pretoria-informer-and-whistleblower-help-police/

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/top-sa-artist-behind-r175m-theft-1422232#.UKM4xWdacmh

https://art-crime.blogspot.com/2012/11/pretoria-art-museum-in-south-africa.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-20311861

https://www.sartle.com/blog/post/from-botched-restoration-to-selfie-destruction-5-of-the-worst-art-fails

 

 

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August 30th 2019 was a regular day for Leighandre Jegels and her mom Ryta. The two were making their way to a boxing gym in East London, when a car started driving erratically behind them. In it was Bulelani Manyakama, Leighandre's abusive ex-boyfriend...

Domestic abuse resources:

https://genderjustice.org.za/helpline-numbers/

https://help.unhcr.org/southafrica/welcome/violence/

https://www.saferspaces.org.za/organisation/entry/rise-against-domestic-violence-sa

https://www.powa.co.za/POWA/ or 011-642-4345

https://genderjustice.org.za/

Tears foundation:  Text *134*7355# or email [email protected]

 

SOURCES:

https://www.iol.co.za/sport/opinion/baby-lee-such-a-sad-tragic-violent-loss-32553068

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/eastern-cape/leighandre-jegels-murder-accused-has-died-31719068

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-08-31-sa-world-champion-fighter-shot-dead-by-her-police-officer-boyfriend/

https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2021-09-01-jegels-anniversary-invokes-painful-emotions/

https://ewn.co.za/2019/09/14/leighandre-baby-lee-jegels-to-be-laid-to-rest

https://www.all4women.co.za/1844257/news/south-african-news/slain-sa-boxing-champion-leighandre-baby-lee-jegels-laid-to-rest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8qnOWEu9WA&t=464s

https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2019-09-12-tears-flow-freely-for-champ-baby-lee/

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-09-11-fare-thee-well-leighandre-baby-lee-jegels-champ-forever/

https://twitter.com/DrJessTaylor/status/1304327594989494273

https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/verbalabuseinrelationships/2012/07/how-abusers-gain-control

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It became known as the case of the body in the boot, abandoned in the parking lot of Montecasino, but there's a man behind that headline. In the wake of his wife's unexpected death, Dustan Blom meets exotic dancer Maruschka Robinson. He takes pity on her, offers her a lifeline, but Maruschka responds by taking advantage and - ultimately - his life.

SOURCES:

https://www.news24.com/News24/My-brothers-murder-has-left-us-shattered-Bloms-sister-20150818

https://ewn.co.za/2015/08/20/Montecasino-killers-showed-no-remorse

https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-star-south-africa-early-edition/20150821/281547994635253

https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-star-south-africa-early-edition/20140117/281698317604539

https://ewn.co.za/2013/11/08/dustan-blom-suspects-racked-up-r100000-bill

https://www.news24.com/news24/cops-have-confession-for-montecasino-murder-20140326

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2014-03-26-montecasino-murder-fraud-cases-in-court/

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2013-10-03-body-in-boot-case-stripper-in-dock/

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2013-11-13-montecasino-boot-murder-uncovers-major-fraud-syndicate/

https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-star-south-africa-late-edition/20140709/282574491181927

https://www.news24.com/News24/Blom-a-broken-man-after-wifes-death-court-told-20150415

https://www.news24.com/News24/Dustan-Blom-died-of-asphyxiation-forensic-pathologist-20150420

https://www.iol.co.za/news/montecasino-murder-plotted-for-weeks-1851553

https://truecrimesouthafrica.com/blog-the-body-in-the-boot/

https://fourwaysreview.co.za/201043/verdict-on-the-body-in-the-boot/

https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-star-south-africa-early-edition/20150416/281535109519363

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It’s February 21st, 2018, just after midnight, when three vehicles pull up outside the Ngcobo police station. One of them is a police van, but the gunmen that climb out are anything but police. They head into the station and gunfire shatters the quiet calm of a small village police station. As the new day dawned on the village of Ngcobo, six people have been fatally shot… and a standoff with the Mancoba Seven Angels Ministry is shaping up.

SOURCES:

https://www.news24.com/citypress/News/crl-goes-after-cult-like-churches-but-laments-a-lack-of-state-support-20180301

https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/angels-of-death-its-been-a-year-but-the-pain-is-still-fresh-for-families-of-ngcobo-massacre-20190221

https://ewn.co.za/2018/02/26/4-appear-in-court-over-ngcobo-police-killings

https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2018-03-01-mancoba-4-of-7-killed-by-cops-innocent/

https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2021-02-22-ngcobo-massacre-ghosts-still-walk-as-court-case-drags-on-past-third-anniversary/

https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2020-03-02-mancoba-seven-angels-trial-judge-calls-on-police-to-use-modern-technology/

https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/tag/ngcobo-police-station/page/2/

https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/ngcobo-church-suspects-court/

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-03-05-ngcobo-shooting-suspects-in-court-for-mzimkhulu-double-murder/

https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2018-02-26-church-battlefield-prophesied/

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-03-15-police-scrub-away-mancoba-seven-angels-graffiti/

https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2018-03-03-root-of-evil-in-police-massacre/

https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/seven-angels-cult-members-in-court-for-police-station-massacre-20181105

https://www.gov.za/speeches/home-affairs-conducts-audit-members-mancoba-seven-angels-ministry-documentation-4-mar-2018

https://www.dailysun.co.za/News/pics-videos-seven-angels-trial-starts-20190903

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-02-26-ngcobo-killings-church-brother-turns-on-brother/

https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/ngcobo-residents-still-feel-unsafe-three-years-after-massacre-of-police-officers/

https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/mancoba-cult-kingpin-appears-in-court-on-rape-charge-20181101

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-02-26-we-didnt-know-say-church-followers/

https://www.news24.com/News24/murdered-ngcobo-police-officers-identified-20180222

https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/seven-angels-cult-leader-could-walk-free-as-npa-withdraws-rape-charges-20181206

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAwcmWthPa4&feature=youtu.be

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This is the first episode of It Happened Here for 2022. In the spirit of the new year, I’m declaring this the start of a new season. Yes, the numbering won’t make tonnes of sense, but neither does much in life so we’re just going to run with it. This episode covers the plot to murder one of South Africa's most lauded musical talents, Taliep Petersen - a plot cooked up by his own wife, Najwa.

Please consider supporting The District Six Museum: https://www.districtsix.co.za/

SOURCES:

https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/sunday-times/lifestyle/2007-06-24-taliep-petersena-tale-of-two-wives/

http://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZAWCHC/2008/64.pdf

https://icaci.org/files/documents/ICC_proceedings/ICC2009/html/refer/20_5.pdf

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-05-15-podcast-a-killer-beside-me-the-murder-of-taliep-petersen/

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2008-05-06-najwa-petersen-was-demonic/

https://www.mgia.co.za/taliep-kept-stabbing-secret-court-told/

https://www.news24.com/news24/najwa-bad-blood-rumours-20071021

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/najwa-to-tell-her-story-400294

https://mg.co.za/article/2008-04-10-how-detective-became-suspicious-of-najwa-petersen/

https://mg.co.za/article/2008-07-30-najwa-fired-fatal-shot-lawyer-charges/

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/najwa-intruder-put-a-gun-on-my-head-410233

https://mg.co.za/article/2008-12-02-court-finds-najwa-guilty-of-murder/

https://www.news24.com/news24/weeping-najwa-called-me-20080424

https://www.dailyvoice.co.za/news/taliep-petersens-killer-denied-parole-d7627ede-d682-4c46-927d-5faff90d7415

https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/najwa-petersen-eligible-for-parole-in-20-months-accomplice-before-parole-board-this-week-3f5bc4a8-8876-4803-8f05-8be605e88a24

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/correctional-services-confirms-taliep-petersens-killer-has-been-released-on-parole-9d9a181b-2322-49e5-b7e7-fee73246b22d

https://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=17860#:~:text=District%20Six%20was%20the%20first,New%20Musical%2F1999%20in%20London.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/jan/08/guardianobituaries.obituaries

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2020-09-07-iconic-district-six-museum-faces-threat-of-closure-unless-love-letters-from-the-public-can-save-it/

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In January 2018, near New Hanover, a small burning patch of sugar cane caught the attention of a farmer out walking with his grandson. As he got closer, he realized that there was more to the fire. There were drag marks in the soil, the smell of petrol, and just a foot or into the field was a horrific sight, a charred body of a woman, one arm lifted up over her head – in what her mom will later describe as the dying swan pose. One hand remained untouched by the fire, her fingertips still glinting with sparkly nail polish. 

www.patreon.com/ithappenedhere 

SOURCES:

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-06-21-siam-lee-murder-rape-accused-dies-before-trial/

https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2019-06-21-siam-lee-murder-rape-accused-dies-before-trial/

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/siam-lee-accused-also-raped-me-14452585

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/ex-fiancee-of-alleged-siam-lee-murderer-sounded-warning-seven-months-ago-12836671

https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-sunday-independent/20180422/281496456884723

https://www.iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/news/mixed-emotions-as-siam-lees-suspected-killer-reported-dead-27250682

https://bradnathanson.co.za/2018/01/31/meet-the-private-eye-who-helped-find-siam-lees-alleged-killer/

https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/pi-company-under-scrutiny-in-siam-lee-accused-bail-application-20180307

https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/2018-01-27-siam-lees-alleged-killer-linked-to-old-murder/

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/investigator-reveals-siam-lees-final-moments-as-murder-accused-dies-28767152

https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/siam-lees-mother-cries-as-details-of-her-daughters-murder-emerge-in-court-20181114

https://northglennews.co.za/150395/durban-high-court-siamlee-murder-trail-adjourned/

https://northglennews.co.za/148170/siam-lee-murder-trial-adjourned-durban-high-court/

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The subject of today’s episode is Nkululeko Habedi – also known by his musical persona or nickname “Flabba.” Flabba’s case attracted a lot of media attention, because he was already famous as a member of the South African hip-hop collective Skwatta Kamp, and for his work as a solo artist. On the evening of March 8 2015, Flabba, his girlfriend Sindi and some of their friends, are all set for a night out at one of Joburg’s swankiest spots – The Sands, in Sandton. But the night would end in his death - a death that sparked a national debate about self defence versus premeditated murder...

Sources:

https://www.iol.co.za/news/i-was-there-the-night-flabba-was-killed-1911965

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/murder-shattered-flabbas-family-1995987

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/music/skwatta-kamp-hip-hop-shugasmakx-new-album-the-clap-song-flabba-nish/

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2015-03-14-flabba-crazy-gifted-loving2/

https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/opinion-and-analysis/2015-03-15-obituary-nkululeko-flabba-habedi-rapper-who-found-art-in-the-ghetto/

https://www.enca.com/south-africa/flabbas-girlfriend-tempers-were-high-fatal-stabbing

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2015-09-23-sindisiwe-and-flabba-how-love-affair-went-wrong/

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/if-flabba-didnt-die-sindi-would-be-dead-1949559

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/sindis-rights-infringed-says-lawyer-1915866

https://roodepoortrecord.co.za/2015/09/17/day-8-flabba-trial-and-i-stabbed-him-2/

https://www.all4women.co.za/490546/news/south-african-news/flabbas-girlfriend-felt-degraded-and-disrespected-by-him

https://www.news24.com/News24/flabbas-killer-expected-longer-jail-term-20160311

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It’s the 2nd of March 2011 and, on the side of the road a middle-aged couple kneel in the sand, weeping. In front of them is a board hammered into the sand, a photograph of a young woman attached. Meters away reporters jostle to try and get a better shot. This ceremony is part of an ongoing story that has captured international headlines. The couple, Nilam and Vinod Hindocha, have come to grieve their beloved daughter, Anni Dewani - and to get to answers. Was Anni the random victim of a hijacking, or had her new husband Shrien Dewani conspired to have her murdered?

Support the show on www.patreon.com/ithappenedhere or find us on Instagram and Facebook.

SOURCES:

‘If I die I want you to know that I love you’

Anni Dewani's sister: 'We will never find out the truth' - BBC News

Anni Dewani's sister: I wish I told my sister to call her wedding off - Mirror Online

Crime Stats: Concern as car hijackings hit 5-year high for Q4

Crime stats: PowerPoint Presentation

Dewani judge cleared of bias claims | News24

Hijacking in South Africa: Hotspot areas and methods revealed

In one of South Africa's most violent townships, a peace arrives - CSMonitor.com

Murder of Anni Dewani - Wikipedia

S v Dewani (CC15/2014) [2014] ZAWCHC 188 (8 December 2014)

Shrien Dewani: from lavish wedding to a high court murder trial | Dewani murder case | The Guardian

Sister tells of murdered Anni Dewani’s doubts over wedding | World news | The Guardian

The Anni Dewani murder: Ten years later

The Hindochas | eNCA

The Honeymoon Murder - The Atavist Magazine

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IHHers, today’s case is an interesting one. Firstly, Phindile Joseph Ntshongwana was not an anonymous guy before these crimes put him in the papers. In fact, he used to be a professional rugby player –and you know how South Africans feel about their rugby. The other reason this case got so much attention was that Phindile is a literal axe murderer who went on a week-long rampage in March 2011, murdering four people and attempting to kill at least two others. But there’s a lot more to this case, in particular there’s the question of “mad or bad?”. Phindile would claim that his terrible actions were the result of profound mental illness, opening up a whole psychological and legal can o’ worms...

Support the show: www.patreon.com/ithappenedhere

SOURCES:

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-06-07-former-blue-bulls-player-turned-axe-murderer-fails-appeal-bid/

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/expert-flabbergasted-by-testimony-1720244

https://www.news24.com/citypress/southafrica/news/from-teddy-bear-to-terminator-20110402

http://www.saflii.org/za/other/ZAKZPHCRolls/2021/74.html

https://mg.co.za/article/2013-04-18-accused-blue-bulls-axe-murderer-had-seizure/

https://news.sky.com/story/former-rugby-player-in-court-over-axe-murders-10488883

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4aOVPzvFI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjqRTyHMjA0

https://www.news24.com/drum/News/phindile-ntshongwana-guilty-of-murder-20170728

https://www.news24.com/News24/Ex-Blue-Bulls-players-gets-5x-life-for-axe-murders-20141219

https://www.enca.com/axe-killer-unaware-actions-court-hears

https://news.sky.com/story/former-rugby-player-in-court-over-axe-murders-10488883

http://www.lawlibrary.co.za/notice/updates/2014/issue_16/recentjudgments_kzd.htm

https://www.ofm.co.za/article/149451/Former-Blue-Bulls-rugby-player-back-in-court-for-murder

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While my current investigation/research is taking a bit longer than normal, here's an interview I did with Yonela Sinqu, the communications officer at Sisonke, the National Sex Workers Movement in South Africa. We talk about why they advocate for decriminalisation (rather than legalisation), as well as getting into some of the discrimination and violence sex workers face. A study by the South African Media Research Council recently found that 71% of women sex workers said they had been exposed to physical violence and 58% said they had been raped. One in seven of the 3005 women surveyed reported being raped by a policeman. This puts sex workers at astronomically higher risk of violence, and then they must deal with stigma on top of that. My own personal belief is that sex work is work, and that those who work in the space deserve the same protections and rights as any other worker, as any other human.  

For more, visit www.sweat.org.za.

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