How many people did Louis van Schoor really kill? We reveal he carried out many more shootings than he was tried for. He said the police knew about them and supported him – that he had been made a scapegoat. Did he feel any remorse? What of the family of Edward Soenies, murdered by van Schoor? After 35 years, how have they tried to re-build their lives?

Please note, this episode of World of Secrets includes descriptions of death and violence, which some listeners may find distressing.

The reckoning of Louis van Schoor. Can justice be done or would he be cleared of the killings? This is the inside story of what was one of South Africa’s biggest criminal trials – van Schoor faces multiple charges of murder. We hear the original audio tapes from the courtroom. The police said that he was justified in using maximum force.

Since this episode was recorded, it has been announced that Louis van Schoor died, on 25 July 2024. There will be more about this in the final episode. This was a four-year investigation and the interviews with Louis van Schoor were recorded in 2022 and 2023.

Please note, this episode of World of Secrets includes descriptions of violence, which some listeners may find distressing.

Season 3 of World of Secrets is a collaboration with the BBC World Service investigations unit, Africa Eye. Here’s a link to the BBC Africa Eye film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://youtu.be/QPB42_uLLh0

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Can the reign of terror of Louis van Schoor be stopped? There was a state of emergency in South Africa and resistance to the apartheid regime had intensified. A coalition of activists had him in their sights. African National Congress supporters, lawyers and journalists were fighting to bring the apartheid system to an end and, in turn, bring mass murderer van Schoor to justice. Could they succeed?

Since this episode was recorded, it has been announced that Louis van Schoor died, on 25 July 2024. There will be more about this later in the series. This was a four-year investigation and the interviews with Louis van Schoor were recorded in 2022 and 2023.

Please note, this episode of World of Secrets includes descriptions of violence and torture, which some listeners may find distressing.

Season 3 of World of Secrets is a collaboration with the BBC World Service investigations unit, Africa Eye. Here’s a link to the BBC Africa Eye film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://youtu.be/QPB42_uLLh0

If you are in the UK, you can watch on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0021dvm

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The making of mass murderer Louis van Schoor. The “apartheid killer” was part of a system which enabled the shootings as “justifiable homicide”. As we investigate one of his most horrific crimes, we begin to expose the web of lies surrounding the killings and ask: how were they covered up?

Since this episode was recorded, it has been announced that Louis van Schoor died, on 25 July 2024. There will be more about this later in the series. This was a four-year investigation and the interviews with Louis van Schoor were recorded in 2022 and 2023.

Please note, this episode of World of Secrets includes descriptions of violence and torture, which some listeners may find distressing.

Season 3 of World of Secrets is a collaboration with the BBC World Service investigations unit, Africa Eye. Here’s a link to the BBC Africa Eye film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://youtu.be/QPB42_uLLh0

If you are in the UK, you can watch on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0021dvm

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Who killed Edward and so many others? His name was Louis van Schoor and we found him. Some people see one of South Africa’s most prolific mass killers as a hero. Would the “apartheid killer” admit to the multiple shootings and killings?

Since this episode was recorded, it has been announced that Louis van Schoor died, on 25 July 2024. There will be more about this later in the series. This was a four-year investigation and the interviews with Louis van Schoor were recorded in 2022 and 2023.

Please note, this episode of World of Secrets includes descriptions of death and violence, which some listeners may find distressing.

Season 3 of World of Secrets is a collaboration with the BBC World Service investigations unit, Africa Eye. Here’s a link to the BBC Africa Eye film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://youtu.be/QPB42_uLLh0

#WorldofSecrets

Who was Edward and how did he die? His body is exhumed in East London, South Africa. His heartbroken family has waited decades to find out what happened to him.

Edward Soenies wasn’t the only one killed in East London after dark in apartheid South Africa in the 1980s. We have spent years investigating.

Since this episode was recorded, it has been announced that the “apartheid killer” Louis van Schoor died, on 25 July 2024. There will be more about this later in the series and you will hear interviews with him in future episodes.

Please note, this season of World of Secrets includes descriptions about death and violence, including torture, which some listeners may find distressing. It also contains very strong language.

The audio for this episode was updated on 19 August 2024 to remove an error about the South African army under apartheid.

Season 3 of World of Secrets is a collaboration with the BBC World Service investigations unit, Africa Eye. Here’s a link to the BBC Africa Eye film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://youtu.be/QPB42_uLLh0

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Four more seasons of World of Secrets will be released in 2024, starting with The Apartheid Killer.

All the victims were black and the youngest was just 12 years old. Some relatives are still searching for the graves. During a three-year bloodbath in the 1980s, at least 39 people were killed in the South African city of East London – by one person. After years of investigation, we’ve tracked him down.

Inside the investigation – the story of the journalism behind The Disciples. Hear from the journalists and the whistleblowers about the investigation into TB Joshua. A special episode with season 2 presenters Charlie Northcott and Yemisi Adegoke, producer Rob Byrne, and whistleblowers Rae and Ajoke.

Hosted by Hannah Ajala, presenter of "Love, Janessa", and recorded in front of an audience at “World Service Presents” in London.

Plus we hear from the presenter of the first season of World of Secrets, Rianna Croxford, about how she investigated allegations of sexual exploitation made against the former CEO of fashion giant Abercrombie and Fitch.

Season 2 of World of Secrets is a story of miracles, faith and manipulation – the cult of Nigerian prophet, TB Joshua. Watch the Africa Eye TV documentaries about the investigation: https://bit.ly/BBCDisciples

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline

The secret daughter of TB Joshua, who dared to rebel against her prophet father. Ajoke was born to a different mother than her sisters, and disciples have told us how she fought back against the prophet. Two years ago, we tracked her down but we weren’t able to use the recording – until now. She tells us her story.

Hosts Charlie Northcott and Yemisi Adegoke unravel a story of miracles, faith and manipulation, carried out by one of the most powerful religious figures of the century.

Please note, some episodes in this series of World of Secrets contain graphic descriptions of sexual and physical violence, including sexual assault, rape and the language associated with it.

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline

Archive: SABC, Channels TV, Emmanuel TV

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People are trapped under rubble in the Lagos church compound. The eyes of the world are now on TB Joshua. Beneath the collapsed building is 23-year-old Princess, from South Africa. Her mother says she’s told: “just pray”. Disciple Emmanuel goes to the scene. “You could hear people, and their voices are fading. From louder, it’s getting weaker.” As suspicion about the cause of the collapse intensifies, Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, flies in to offer his condolences to TB Joshua and the bereaved families. Meanwhile, the prophet gives a bizarre explanation.

Hosts Charlie Northcott and Yemisi Adegoke unravel a story of miracles, faith and manipulation, carried out by one of the most powerful religious figures of the century.

Please note, this season of World of Secrets contains graphic descriptions of sexual and physical violence, including sexual assault, rape and the language associated with it.

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline

Archive: Channels TV, Associated Press, CGTN Africa, The Synagogue Church of All Nations, Emmanuel TV, TV360, MrBallu58

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