True Crime South Africa

PODCAST | A pyramid of death: the multiple crimes of Herman Pretorius

11 January 2023 - 06:07 By Nicole Engelbrecht
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Investment guru Herman Pretorius kept one of South Africa's biggest Ponzi schemes running for more than a decade, before it ended in murder and suicide. Stock photo.
Investment guru Herman Pretorius kept one of South Africa's biggest Ponzi schemes running for more than a decade, before it ended in murder and suicide. Stock photo.
Image: 123RF/Fernando Gregory Milan

When successful investment guru Herman Pretorius walked into the Icon office building in Cape Town in July 2012, he had only one thing on his mind: escape.

His death and the murder of his partner would seemingly provide the way out he had so desperately sought, but for thousands of other South Africans, it was just the beginning of the nightmare.

Listen to the story here: 

That morning, Pretorius had fled a meeting with investigators from the Financial Services Board which centred on an enquiry into his investment schemes. After his death, the true horror of his multiple crimes would be revealed and every person who had invested money with him would be affected for years to come.

In episode 101 of True Crime South Africa, we look at how Pretorius was able to keep one of the country’s biggest Ponzi schemes running for more than a decade, before it all ended in murder and suicide.

For more episodes, click here.

Community Intervention Centre (24-hour trauma helpline): 082-821-3447

Join the conversation on Twitter at #TrueCrimeSA

E-mail the show: info@killeraudiocreations.com  

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