Gamal Salie Lineveldt was born on 8 February 1919 in South Africa during a period of significant social and political transition.

Between October and November 1940, a wave of violent assaults spread fear throughout communities in South Africa. Over the span of just two months, four women were targeted, raped, and murdered in what authorities quickly recognized as a pattern. The killer had a specific modus operandi: attacking women in isolated areas, overpowering them with brutal force, and sexually assaulting them before stabbing them to death. The level of violence in each attack was extreme, suggesting not just intent to kill, but deep-seated rage.

The crimes were widely reported in local newspapers, and the public became increasingly fearful, especially women living in rural or sparsely populated areas. The fear grew more intense with each murder. Authorities launched a manhunt but initially struggled with limited forensic tools and the absence of witnesses willing or able to identify the perpetrator.

Eventually, evidence and investigation led police to Gamal Salie Lineveldt. Details about his arrest are scarce, but it is known that his connection to the murders was firmly established through circumstantial and eyewitness evidence. He was apprehended, charged, and tried for the brutal crimes. Throughout the proceedings, Lineveldt was portrayed as cold and remorseless, showing little reaction to the descriptions of the horrific acts he had committed.

The trial ended with a conviction for all four murders. Given the heinous nature of the crimes and the moral climate of the time, the court sentenced him to death by hanging. Lineveldt was executed on 9 July 1941.