Cape Town - A soft-spoken Norman “Afzal” Simons, the man dubbed the Station Strangler, stands wearing mustard pants while he is identified as the man who kidnapped and murdered 10-year-old Elroy van Rooyen.
He was pointed out by key State witness Fouzia Hercules during an identity parade soon after his arrest in 1994.
The Weekend Argus had a sneak preview of Showmax’s The Station Strangler documentary this week. It is expected to be released in November.
The documentary, which is over two hours long, will leave you on the edge of your seat with some never seen before footage released to the public, such as inside the police station following Simons’ arrest and detention.
Tears is what viewers can also expect when watching this emotional documentary which gives an all-rounded view of the case which gripped not only the Western Cape but the whole of South Africa.
It is not for the sensitive viewer as crime scenes of the Strangler’s graveyard in Mitchell’s Plain are also showcased.
The documentary comes just a year after Simons was granted parole following 28 years imprisonment.
Kevin Kriedemann, publicist for Showmax said the documentary delved deeper into the case.
“This is the latest true-crime feature documentary from IdeaCandy (”Tracking Thabo Bester“, ”Devilsdorp“).
“The Station Strangler investigates the serial killer with the same nickname, who is believed to have killed 21 young boys and one adult from the late 80s to the mid-90s on the Cape Flats,” he explained.
“Simons, a school-teacher, was arrested but only convicted of one of the murders. 28 years after his imprisonment, Simons was released on parole, opening up fresh wounds in a community where justice has been denied for too long.
“The Station Strangler features interviews with family members of the victims, lead investigator JD Kotze, serial killer profiler Micki Pistorius, and Dr Allan Boesak, amongst others.’’
As the camera rolls, significant role-players such as state prosecutors, a detective and vital witnesses and evidence is flung before the viewers eyes, giving a glimpse of the untold stories of the case which rocked the province.
Director Nadine Cloete won the Audience Award at Encounters for Action Kommandant, while her short Address Unknown won the SAFTA for Best Short Film.
Cloete told Weekend Argus, the documentary would give viewers an exclusive glimpse into the case.
“Sure, I'd love that people watch the documentary and think about how crime gets resolved in black communities in general,”she said.
“This has not changed.
“Our lives are still not a priority.
“The story of the Station Strangler is truly the story of the bogeyman of an entire generation.”
The former school teacher was convicted in 1995 of the murder of 10-year-old Elroy.
Jeremy Elino Sprinkle, 11, Donovan Swarts, 11, Neville Samaai, 13, Jeremy Benjamin, 10, Owen Hoofmeester, 12, Fabian Willmore, eight, Marcelino Cupido, 10 and five unidentified victims between the ages of 10 and 14 were some of the victims of the Station Strangler.
Simons’ has been barred from speaking publicly via the media and he has been placed under 24-hour house arrest.
He is allowed four hours per week to seek medical attention if needed and will receive eight visits per month from Community Corrections and must attend rehabilitation programmes and seek employment.