Story of Serial Killer Moses Sithole Coming Soon to Showmax
Showmax to Unveil “The ABC Killer,” a Gripping Moses Sithole True-Crime Series
Showmax is set to release The ABC Killer, a compelling three-part documentary series. It explores the chilling case of Moses Sithole, one of South Africa’s most notorious serial killers. The series will premiere exclusively on Showmax on 22 July 2025. It offers an in-depth and sensitive examination of one of the darkest chapters in South African criminal history.
ALSO READ: Real Housewives of Durban Reunion: Mablerh Returns to Stir the Drama
A Journey Back in Time
The documentary takes viewers back 30 years to 1995, shortly after Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president. It centres on rookie journalist Tamsen de Beer, who was working the night shift at The Star newspaper. She received a life-changing phone call from a man claiming to be the country’s most prolific serial killer.
Through repeated and unsettling conversations, de Beer and Sithole developed a disturbing rapport. De Beer describes the experience as “a journey I was on with him,” explaining, “We were tied together in a peculiar, unsettling manner. I found myself hoping for his well-being, which is utterly insane.”
The Crimes of the ABC Killer
Moses Sithole, known as the ‘ABC Killer,’ targeted young Black women in Atteridgeville, Boksburg, and Cleveland. These areas are known as the ABC areas in Gauteng. He murdered 38 women, committed 40 rapes, and six robberies over just over a year. Courts convicted him for these crimes. He often committed them in broad daylight and while sober, shocking the nation with their brutality and scale.
Former detective Paul Nkomo recalled the horror of the case, stating, “I believed the devil had descended upon Earth.”
Insightful and Sensitive Storytelling
Directed by Jasyn Howes, known for the SAFTA-nominated Boetie Boer, The ABC Killer combines archival footage, dramatic reenactments filmed at real locations, and interviews with key individuals involved in the case. Featured interviews include Tamsen de Beer, South Africa’s first profiler Micki Pistorius, forensic psychologist Giada Del Fabbro, survivor Buyiswa Swakhamisu, and World Press Photo winner Jodi Bieber. The documentary also includes rare recordings of Sithole himself.
Showmax has emphasised that the series handles the sensitive subject matter with care. It aims to educate viewers about the dangers of such crimes. The series also highlights the importance of community vigilance and support for victims.
Where and When to Watch
The ABC Killer will be available for binge-watching exclusively on Showmax from 22 July 2025. The series can be streamed on multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and computers, via a Showmax subscription.
