The Griekwastad Murders: The Crime that Shook South Africa

by Jacques Steenkamp

The true story behind the murders that rocked a nation by the journalist who first broke the story …

Just after dusk on Good Friday, 6 April 2012, the peace and quiet permeating the small Northern Cape town of Griekwastad was disrupted when a young teenage boy sped into town in his father’s Isuzu bakkie and screeched to a halt in front of the town’s nearly deserted police station. It was shortly before 19h00 when Don Steenkamp jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the station’s charge office, covered in blood, to announce that his parents and sister had been brutally shot and killed on the family farm, Naauwhoek. Although the killings were initially thought to be just another farm attack, months later a sixteen-year-old youth was arrested for the murders, setting in motion a chain of events that would grip South Africa, and divide the people of Griekwastad.

Based on interviews with all the role-players, including the investigating officers on the case, the forensic and ballistic experts, and family and friends of the deceased, this is the riveting account of what really happened on Naauwhoek farm on that fateful day, as told by the reporter who followed the case from day one…

Genres: South Africa, Africa, Family, Crime, True Crime, Nonfiction

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2014

Reviews

[Andrew]

Can there be anything as evil as murder within a family, the killing of one’s own flesh and blood? Even my macabre interest in murderous true crimes in South Africa was shocked by “The Griekwastad Murders” and the story has left a residue that will sit at the back of my mind for years to come.

In the early evening of the 6th of April 2012, a teenage boy roars into Griekwastad, driving his father’s bakkie. Coming to a halt outside the police station, the bloodied boy leaps out to tell the police that his parents and sister have been murdered on their farm.

Initially regarded as yet another tragic farm killing, the police come to suspect that the boy, Don Steenkamp, may not be telling them the entire truth. About this the tightly-knit Griekwastad community is split – some believing in Don’s guilt, others convinced of his innocence. And it is this that plays out throughout South Africa, everyone weighing in with their opinion.

Jacques Steenkamp (no relation) followed the story closely, developing relationships with key players in the sensational trial that followed. Drawing on his extensive experience as a journalist, he has produced a book which is both objective in its treatment of the facts, while retaining the element of human emotion that can so often be overlooked. Jacques Steenkamp has written a book that is much more than the most comprehensive account of the murders and their aftermath – he has given us a book that is as compulsive to read as any fictional bestseller.

[Kashia Reads]

For the most part it is a slow burn, but the insight from the author is really what kept me reading. Such a horrific thing that’s still unbelievable.

[Patty]

The Murders, at the time, was mostly published in Afrikaans media, even though it was truly a tragedy that should have had more media coverage then was afforded. The book provides valuable overview around the Child Justic Act 75 of 2008 and bodes for easy reading and understanding early on. I read the book within 19 days, as the writer keeps the reader abreast of the case, circumstances but in a logical and easy flowing storytelling mode. Initially, the logical conclusion off mistakenly explaining the murders as yet another farm murder, runs rife, but the dedicated and sterling work of Colonel Dick De Waal assists in unraveling the threads of the puzzle, securing evidence and providing a fool proof story to tell. Little bolts of shock kept reminding me that I was not reading a very well written fictional murder thriller, but an account of real events that happened in a sleepy quiet farm-town - where the only crisis and excitement until then, seemed to have come from the Coloured Farm workers in the area when they had too much to drink. The sub-text off this story speaks off the law, and how it is prepared or NOT prepared to deal with perpetrators like the convicted murderer - how easily the rumours of the farm murders spreads like wild fire and easily accepted by a large majority of readers as part of the alleged 'genocide on whites'.I cringe to think how also easily these murders could've been pinned on the workers if we did not have a capable and committed Police working on the case. There were threats in the media at the time announcing that “Geloftevolk Republikeine” (Covenant People Republicans) would perform vengeful attacks on Blacks. There was a real fear at the time that racial tensions would escalate into violence. Then there is the growing number of murders that happens as a result of Satanic rituals, and once again the matter is vaguely touched on in the case and also in the narration of the story. In reading additional blogs and following comments, I thought the world had gone mad, as very Right Wing angry Afrikaners referred to Report as an "ANC Newspaper" , and in following the rantings and ravings, I soon realised that these murders could bring the rest of South Africans into the FARM MURDER discussion, albeit angry, lopsided and nonsensical at the time, the murders almost served as an alert to the rest of the country's urban dwellers. I am keen to read about the murderer, after he served his sentence - he has never admitted guilt and the psychology around the killings is not that of an angry little boy, but off a cold calculating murderer, maybe even a psychopath.

[Michelle Otto]

I enjoyed this because the story gripped me from the beginning but I did not have all the details.
Don Steenkamp's psychopathic behaviour made me a little sick, but intrigued me.
I'd probably squash the little twat like a bug.

I would have enjoyed it more if the writer did less boasting.
This whole book was dedicated to giving credit to himself.
I get it - you first broke the story. YOU did all the work. YOU are awesome.

I just can't seem to wrap my head around the house these people lived in.
Sending your kids to super-schools because you want the town to know you're rich, (was hinted in the book) driving nice vehicles, millions in the bank but you live in a prefab "shack" with no proper furniture. (pictures)

Meh.
It was good, but not THAT good!

[Scriblerus]

A fascinating story ruined by very poor writing. First, throughout the book Steenkamp makes his dislike for the accused clear. There is no 'innocent until proven guilty for Don Steenkamp from the author. It's as if he's on some kind of mission: perhaps he sees Don as a blot on the Steenkamp escutcheon. So his account is very one-sided. Admittedly, there is little chance that the boy isn't guilty, but I'd have expected a more balanced account of the case.

Second, the book needs to be edited by someone who can write grammatically correct, idiomatic English. It seems the author and publishers were in a great rush to publish to beat their rivals and to make as much money as possible while the murders were still in the news. Some dire writing.

[Scarlett Ferry]

The Griekwastad Murders is a gripping and meticulously researched true crime account that reads with the intensity of a thriller while remaining grounded in factual reporting. Jacques Steenkamp presents the case with clarity, balance, and attention to detail, offering readers a compelling look at one of South Africa's most shocking criminal investigations. The thorough research, engaging narrative, and insightful exploration of the evidence and its impact on the community make this an unforgettable read. A fascinating and thought-provoking book for anyone interested in true crime and investigative journalism. Highly recommended.

[patrick libretti]

Interesting and lengthy case

This case was well documented and reported over the years it took to conclude it. It still may not be over on appeal, was we will one day find out.
I will say that you have no need to wonder about crime statistics in So Africa, because the sentencing for takng a human life is insidiously disgusting. And if you do a triple murder with rape, it is no worse consequence. By their laws mind you.
How does this exist ?

[Michele Jacobson]

Very good book - detailed!

Very detailed book about these murders. Although South Africa court system is very different from American court system, there was justice. He should have been sentenced to consecutive 25 years, however.

[Tefo Manoto]

The lives of a beautiful and loving family tragically ended. Was difficult to put down. Had to read it again. Jacques Steenkamp was phenomenal.

[Wandi Botha Was Wolfaardt]

I could not put this book down. Could not believe that I person could do that to his family.

[Hester Maree]

An account of a gruesome family murder by a psychopathic son, but so many questions remain. Will we ever know the facts? After an extensive investigation by police, how much of the truth was the killer willing to divulge? The author, I think, was restricted by that and I couldn't help feeling there was a great deal that went unsaid. The deaths were sad and senseless in a case that shook South Africa.

[Tertia]

this is the best story based on true events I've ever read. it gives you a complete look at what really happened!

[Delia Pieters]

Well done Jacques Steenkamp. This book gave an insight to the crime and cleared up some of the confusion with the evidence etc. Pity that book is published before sentencing... Feels a bit like an 'incomplete' story...

[Sue Purbrick]

Excellent read. Gruesome true story, well written by journalist Jacques Steenkamp who covered the proceedings. I read it as sentencing was being passed down, so very topical. Couldn't put it down.

[Adair]

Fascinating in depth look at the most horrific crime.

[Cathryn Gray]

This book kept me riveted. The court case was fascinating, especially the blood splatter expert. The story is well written and easy to follow.

[Eugene]

Excellent book. Expertly written. I love the legal detail the writer provides and the intimate knowledge hes has on the event. Must read.

[Joss Du Trevou]

True story although hard to imagine it could possibly be true. Highly recommend.

[Shannon Schutte]

A fascinating look into a horrific family murder, but the writing is poor, and although no one but Steenkamp could answer, I was left wondering how and why this happened....