cover of episode The Apartheid Killer: 1. Edward’s Ghost

The Apartheid Killer: 1. Edward’s Ghost

2024/7/22
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Edward Soenies, a loving father and brother, disappeared in 1987 in East London, South Africa during apartheid. His family searched tirelessly for two years, only to discover his death through a newspaper article, revealing he was killed and buried in an unmarked grave. This tragic discovery left the family with unanswered questions and a deep sense of loss.
  • Edward Soenies disappeared in 1987 in East London, South Africa.
  • His family discovered his death two years later through a newspaper article.
  • He was killed and buried in an unmarked grave.
  • The circumstances surrounding his death remained a mystery to his family.

Shownotes Transcript

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. Hosts Ayanda Charlie and Charlie Northcott begin to unravel what happened. They hear from investigative journalist, Isa Jacobsen and Edward’s sister and son, Marlene and Raymond.

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

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