Meet the monster John Harris (with Jacques Pauw)

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Please note that our top story in The Lead today may upset you. Listeners’ discretion is advised. In short, you’re going to meet the monster John Harris, as narrated by the veteran investigative journalist who unearthed the harrowing story, Jacques Pauw. Harris, 73, a British-born music teacher for schoolchildren who had frequented many towns up and down the Western Cape, was earlier this year sent to Paarl’s Alandale prison for the grooming, sexual assault and double rape of a 9-year-old girl. In fact, he preyed on several women and girls, some of whose experiences only came to light for the first time this week, thanks in part to Pauw’s reporting. We’d like to take this opportunity to urge anyone aware of child or women abuse in South Africa to please contact the South African Police Service at 10111 or call the national Childline toll-free helpline at 116.
We end today’s show with ‘On This Day in SA History’. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: ⁠thelead@24.com⁠. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠.
Chapters
  • 00:01 Graeme's intro: Listeners' discretion advised
  • 00:53 Crossing to Jacques Pauw
  • 48:42 On This Day in SA History
2 Oct 2025 English South Africa News · Society & Culture

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