About this episode

This episode explores the Brighton Beach Axe Murders and the psychological profile of the killer, Joseph Ntshongwana.

Durban, March 2011. Four men murdered in eight days — two decapitated. All strangers. All ambushed and hacked to death with an axe. The killer: Joseph Phindile Ntshongwana , former Blue Bulls flanker whose life collapsed into delusion, paranoia, and violent psychosis. Family saw the warning signs — hallucinations, erratic behaviour, and a fixed belief in a daughter who didn’t exist. In this episode, forensic psychologist Prof Gerard Labuschagne joins host Paul Llewellyn to unpack how the murders were linked, what the forensic evidence proved, where delusion meets legal responsibility, and why every appeal failed. Profiler Africa — where psychology meets the crime scene. Follow the show. Rate and review. Share with someone who loves true crime.

Topics covered

• murder
• forensic psychology
• delusion
• legal responsibility
• violent psychosis
• true crime

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