Gamat Salie Lineveldt

Death Notice: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BY-NWPK

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamal_Lineveldt

Murderpedia: https://murderpedia.org/male.L/l/lineveldt-gamal.htm

Serial Killer Calendar: https://www.serialkillercalendar.com/Gamal%20Salie%20LINEVELDT.php

Serial Killer: The Cape Flats Murders 1940

Salie, as he was known, was a general labourer who lived with his parents. He was a short, coloured man who was described as rather quiet and socially awkward. He had a short temper and could get aggressive, but also calmed down rather quickly. He never had girlfriends or any female friends. From 1935-1938, he worked for Harry Lawrence, who ended up becoming the Minister of Home Affairs and left Cape Town for Johannesburg in 1938. His wife Jean recalled Salie to be lazy, but she never noticed anything that would predict what followed.

Salie sexually assaulted and murdered 4 white women during 1940. His first victim was 40 year-old Ethel Marais who he attacked off Brockhurst Road in Lansdowne on 3 October 1940. Her husband left for military service in Johannesburg and she was on her way to her sister's house after seeing him off at the train station. She survived the attack, but couldn't talk to explain what happened and passed away 2 days later in Groote Schuur Hospital. Ethel's ring and silver hat ornament was found on Salie's person when he was arrested.

On 22 October 1940, 49 year-old Dorothy Tarling was attacked in her house on Prince George Drive in Wynberg. Dorothy was a divorced veterinarian who managed kennels from her home where she lived alone. Salie forced himself into the house and crept up to Dorothy, who was reading the evening newspaper. She didn't survive the attack and was discovered the next day by the domestic worker. Palm prints were found and later used to positively link Salie to the crime scene.

Unmarried, 28 year-old Eva Bird was Salie's 3rd victim, another only child of deceased parents. On the morning of 11 November 1940, Eva was attacked while doing washing in front of her house in Wetton Road, Lansdowne and dragged into nearby bushes. A delivery man stumbled on the attack and started to chase Salie down the street, but was unable to catch him. He immediately reported the incident to Police and a search was conducted for Salie, but without success. Eva did not survive the attack.

Salie's 4th and final victim was 44 year-old Mary Hoets who he attacked on 25 November 1940 with an axe at her house in Thornhill Road, Rondebosch. When a boarder returned from work later that day, he discovered his deceased landlady in her bedroom.

Salie was found and arrested on 16 March 1941. By then, he had cut off his own thumb after learning of the potential evidence the Police had on the killer. He was tried on 10 June 1941 and swiftly sentenced to death. He was hung a month later on 19 July 1941.