The Station Strangler was a Type of Boogeyman: Director Nadine Cloete on New Showmax Doccie

Showmax has released the gripping trailer for The Station Strangler, a chilling true-crime documentary set to premiere on Wednesday, 6 November 2024. Directed by Nadine Cloete, the documentary revisits one of South Africa’s most notorious serial killer cases, focusing on the Cape Flats killer believed to have murdered 21 young boys and one adult between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s.

The documentary, produced by IdeaCandy, the same team behind Tracking Thabo Bester and Devilsdorp, investigates the man known as the Station Strangler. The case gripped the Cape Flats community, and while school teacher Norman Simons was arrested and convicted for the murder of 10-year-old Elroy van Rooyen, many questions remain. Simons was released on parole in 2023 after serving 28 years, a moment that reopened old wounds for families and a community that still feels justice was denied.

The Station Strangler documentary includes interviews with victims’ family members, key figures like lead investigator JD Kotze, serial killer profiler Micki Pistorius, and renowned theologian Dr Allan Boesak. The series explores the lasting psychological impact of the crimes and the unresolved mysteries surrounding the case.

Director Nadine Cloete’s Approach to the Documentary

Nadine Cloete, a filmmaker known for exploring South Africa’s complex social issues, was drawn to the project.

“The Station Strangler was a type of boogeyman. All kids of colour grew up with this story.”

Cloete, whose previous work includes Action Kommandant and Address Unknown, reflected on the profound cultural impact of the Station Strangler in an interview, saying,

For Cloete, the film goes beyond the criminal case and touches on broader themes of identity, history, and community trauma. She acknowledged the deep-rooted fear and anxiety the Station Strangler instilled in the Cape Flats community during a time when it was still establishing itself after apartheid’s forced removals.

The Challenges of Revisiting the Case

Cloete admitted that the most challenging aspect of making the documentary was interviewing criminal profiler Micki Pistorius.

“That’s when everything became real,”.

she explained

While other interviews allowed some emotional distance, Pistorius’ insights into the psychology of the serial killer were particularly intense. For Cloete, the horror of what had been done to the young victims was undeniable and hit home in a profound way.

The sheer scale of the tragedy, with 21 boys killed, made the process emotionally taxing for the director.

“You think what it means for childhood, for people who grew up close to that community in that era,”.

she said, reflecting on the ripple effect of the trauma that still lingers in the lives of many Cape Flats residents

Balancing the Narrative

Cloete made a conscious effort to present a balanced narrative, starting with an interview with Ruth Jakuja, a former magistrate who argued for Simons’ innocence. Jakuja’s perspective helped shape Cloete’s approach, ensuring that differing viewpoints were explored throughout the documentary.

Speaking with the victims’ families also required sensitivity. Cloete shared how some families, like the Van Rooyens, were eager to participate, while others, like the Samaais, were more hesitant. One powerful, unplanned moment came when Pam Samaai, one of the sisters of a victim, shared newspaper clippings she had saved over the years, representing her only tangible link to her brother. It highlighted how the victims’ families have had to hold on to their memories with whatever they could.

The Community’s Involvement

Cloete took great care in portraying the Mitchells Plain community, where the murders occurred, with respect and authenticity. Rather than relying on stereotypes, she worked closely with local activists and residents to ensure the documentary reflected the community’s strength and resilience.

Mitchells Plain, a young community during the time of the murders, was grappling with its identity after being formed largely by apartheid-era forced removals. Cloete’s interviews with longtime residents, like Sandra Cupido, revealed how the community came together during the dark period of the Station Strangler’s reign of terror.

Why You Should Watch The Station Strangler

Cloete believes that The Station Strangler is essential viewing for anyone impacted by Simons’ release or those who lived through the terror that gripped the Cape Flats.

“It is a part of our people’s history,”.

she says

The documentary is not only a deep dive into one of South Africa’s most infamous criminal cases but also a reflection of the lasting wounds that the case inflicted on a generation of people.

With Cloete’s empathetic storytelling and meticulous attention to detail, The Station Strangler promises to be a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of crime, community, and collective trauma.