SA Criminologist - Melissa Castlemaine

26/02/2026

👏 Had a really rewarding day this week facilitating OSINT and online research safety training.

💬 So encouraged by the level of engagement and the thoughtful conversations that followed. Grateful to work with people who care deeply about responsible, informed research in digital spaces.

28/01/2026

We've teamed up with Healing Touch Counselling to help end the stigma around mental health 🤍✨️🧠

Introducing My Mental Breakdown Cup - a tumbler covered in gentle, honest reminders to meet yourself with compassion 🫶

Carry kindness, one sip at a time 🥰

📢 Use code HEALING for 10% off

☕️ Double-walled stainless steel
❄️ Keeps drinks hot or cold for hours
🥤 Multiple lid styles to choose from

📌 www.sacriminologist.co.za/shop

19/01/2026

Starting off the year with some good news 🌟

my ethics application for my PhD research has been approved ✅️ which means I can officially move to the next phase of the study — another ethics application with the Department of Correctional Services 😎

It's one of those milestones that happen quietly, but carries real weight; behind it sits months of thinking through risk, responsibility, and impact 🧠⚖️📚

Grateful for the solid start to the year and ready for what comes next 💪 Onward 🚀

29/10/2025

🗞⚠️ Stabbing at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre

A stark reminder of why my PhD on violence reduction in correctional centres matters now more than ever

📚⏳️ I actually took time off of work this week to focus on my research – which makes this eerily relevant

Two inmates have been killed in a stabbing incident at Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town.

06/03/2024

15/01/2024

Criminology enthusiasts - let's chat 🦹‍♀️

🔫 Criminal Minds Monday 🔫

I have been following a double-murder case in the media of a mother and son who were murdered in November 2023 🕊 Nadine Terblanché and Ruandré Vorster

The most recent development in this case is the partner of Nadine being arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated murder.

Since November, the partner regularly posted emotional remembrance messages on his social media platforms.

This got me thinking about other cases where the (alleged) guilty party had 'mourned' publicly before they had been apprehended.

👉 Jayde Inggs's husband delivered an emotional eulogy at her funeral before he was arrested for orchestrating her murder. He is currently serving a life sentence.

👉 Romay Van Rooyen's nephew was a pallbearer at her funeral before he was charged with her murder.

👉 James Manwadu's wife was described as putting on a "tearful Oscar-winning act" before appearing before Court for conspiracy to murder.

Share your thoughts:
🔫 What do you think drives someone to publicly mourn a victim they themselves harmed?
🔫 How could public displays of grief by a guilty party potentially impact an investigation?
🔫 Do public mourning tactics influence the legal process - why or why not?

📍 Let's keep the discussion respectful. These are names of real victims and there are real people involved.
📍 Three of the cases mentioned are ongoing and the perpetrators have not been found guilty.
📍 The intention of Criminal Minds Monday is to spark conversation around Criminology concepts using South African true crime case studies.

09/01/2024

My latest adventure awaits 😍

I am overjoyed to be commencing with my PhD Criminology at the University of Limpopo in 2024. My research will focus on the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Life-sentenced Offenders and I will be supervised by Professor Hesselink and Professor Maluleke

👩‍🎓🧠📚📍🎉

05/01/2024

I hope everyone had a splendid festive season. May the New Year bring many blessings to each one of you 🎇

During the holiday, SA Criminologist - Melissa Castlemaine consulted on a case of r**e of a minor, offering victim services and expertise.

They say, "if you do what you love, you will not work a day in your life". I tend to disagree. The more you love what you do, the harder you'll work. That's why it's important to actively set time aside for rest!

I hope you are all well-rested and ready for 2024!

I am officially back and available for consultations:
📲 071 685 0624
📧 [email protected]

22/12/2023

we have officially entered the Festive Season and, soon, this year will draw to a close. As I take some time to reflect on the year, I would like to extend Season's Greetings to everyone in my network 🎄

In 2023, I was able to work with spectacular individuals and added many new faces to my network. I am grateful for every connection and for each opportunity afforded to me through my network 🥰

2024 promises to be an even better year! There are interesting projects in the pipeline and a few tricks up my sleeve 🪄

SA Criminologist - Melissa Castlemaine wishes you and your family a safe festive season and rejuvenating New Year's celebrations. I hope 2024 will be filled with health and happiness 🎆

11/12/2023

Pleased to have collaborated with Verrisafe SA 🤩

Join us for an insightful conversation with SA Criminologist - Melissa Castlemaine who speaks about navigating the intersections of harassment and threat response awareness within corporate realms.

https://www.verrisafe.co.za/post/fostering-safety-the-power-of-harassment-and-threat-response-awareness-in-workplaces