In the 1970s, a serial rapist stalked South Africa. He would eventually be caught, and sentenced to death. Although this should have been the end of this story, it was just the beginning.
In the 1970s in SA, women were living under a reign of terror. They were being stalked, attacked and raped by a man wielding a screwdriver.
Between September and November 1971, the “Screwdriver Rapist” raped at least nine women. William van der Merwe often used the same modus operandi: he would dress in white overalls and visit women’s homes, claiming to be an electrician.
Thankfully, William van der Merwe, The Screwdriver Rapist, would be identified, arrested and sentenced to death, but this would not be the end of the story. In fact, it was just the beginning.
William van der Merwe’s story doesn’t end there. In March 1987 he was granted parole and released from Zonderwater Prison in Pretoria. Less than two years later two young women were hitchhiking to Tamboerskloof in Cape Town after a day at Muizenberg beach. They were picked up in Main Road, Tokai, by Van der Merwe.One would be murdered and one would live to tell the tale.
In episode 37 of True Crime SA, we delve into the legend of the “screwdriver rapist” and the survivor who, despite seeing her friend murdered, fought back and put a permanent end to his reign of terror.
SHOWNOTES:
Host: Nicole Engelbrecht
Producer: Nicole Engelbrecht
Music: Snippet from Prime Circle’s Evidence
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