THE STRANGLER DOSSIERS

Cinemavixion Review

This documentary delves into one of South Africa's most chilling true crime sagas, "The Strangler Dossiers." Revisiting the harrowing period between the late 1980s and early 1990s, the film meticulously reconstructs the series of child disappearances that terrorized the Cape Flats community. The narrative centers on the investigation and eventual conviction of Norman Afzal Simons, a schoolteacher whose public persona starkly contrasted with the horrific allegations. While Simons was convicted in the death of nine-year-old Elroy van Rooyen, the documentary thoughtfully explores the lingering questions and debates that have persisted for decades. Through a compelling blend of archival footage, court records, and poignant community testimonies, "The Strangler Dossiers" offers a profound examination of the investigation, the trial, and the enduring trauma inflicted upon Cape Town's families. It also gives voice to Simons' continued assertions of innocence, making for a nuanced and unsettling portrayal of a case that continues to haunt the nation.