After 20 years, Luyanda Mboniswa reveals the truth about Marike de Klerk’s murder in a new documentary

After 22 years in prison, the man convicted of killing Marike de Klerk, ex-wife of former South African President FW de Klerk, finally opens up about that fateful night. 

Luyanda Mboniswa has been on parole since August 30. 

Marike was murdered in December 2001 in her Cape Town apartment. She had been strangled to death. The autopsy revealed that she had also suffered several wounds to her head.

According to the late forensic expert Professor Deon Knobel, “Mboniswa had roughly gripped De Klerk’s neck with so much force that he broke several bones in her throat and burst a blood vessel in her eye”.

Mboniswa, who worked as a security guard at her Bloubergstrand apartment complex, was convicted on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and housebreaking and sentenced in May 2003.

Throughout the years, he had continued to proclaim his innocence –  until now.

In “The Confession: The Marike de Klerk Murder”, Mboniswa opens up to journalist Annika Larsen, revealing what really happened that night and why he has decided to speak now.

The compelling 23-minute documentary revisits the murder that sent shockwaves around the world.

“After serving 22 years behind bars, Mboniswa’s participation in an offender rehabilitation program led to his release in August 2023.

“Now, through this documentary, he speaks openly about the crime for the first time – finally admitting his guilt and, in doing so, lifting the cloud of suspicion that has hung over others for more than two decades,” read a statement from e.tv. 

• “The Confession: The Marike de Klerk Murder” will air on Friday, November 7, at 8.30pm on e.tv and on November 9, at 10.30pm on eNCA (DStv channel 403).