Today is Sunday, October 18, 2020.

On this day in 1985, South African authorities executed black activist Benjamin Moloise after

he was convicted of murdering a police officer.

His hanging was a lightning rod that attracted international attention as it revealed the

complexities and atrocities of life in a partied era, South Africa.

Welcome to Today in True Crime, a Spotify original from podcast.

Due to the graphic nature of today's crimes, listener discretion is advised.

Extreme caution is advised for listeners under 13.

Today recovering the tragedy and controversy that came with the hanging of South African

poet and activist, Benjamin Moloise.

Let's go back to October 18, 1985, to a prison in Pretoria, South Africa.

At 6 a.m., Moloise pushed through a throng of journalists as she raced to the entry of Pretoria's

central prison.

It's rare that someone begs to be led into prison, but Moloise pleaded with authorities

for permission to enter.

Her 30-year-old son, Benjamin, was scheduled to be hanged at 7 a.m., and the inconsolable

mother just wanted to say goodbye.

Benjamin worked as an upholster and was a talented poet, but he was also allegedly a killer.

Three years earlier, in 1982, Benjamin was arrested for murdering a Pretoria security officer

named Philippus Celepa.

It wasn't just a random killing.

In fact, Celepa's death was a political act, planned by the African National Congress,

...