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Inside the Dark World of Assassins (Full Episode) | Trafficked: Underworlds with Mariana van Zeller

National Geographic・2 minutes read

Hitmen in Los Angeles and South Africa engage in contract killings for money, with an increase in killings globally. Corruption within law enforcement, poverty, and the cycle of violence drive individuals like JoJo to become hitmen, creating a culture of fear and vulnerability.

Insights

  • Hitmen, like JoJo, operate in a world of extreme violence and corruption, driven by poverty and revenge, with meticulous planning and systemic police involvement, showcasing a culture of fear, vulnerability, and replaceability.
  • The life of an assassin involves emotional weight, with JoJo's backstory revealing how personal trauma and a dangerous environment can lead individuals to become hitmen, focusing solely on payment and revenge while perpetuating a cycle of violence and fear, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of their actions beyond the act of murder.

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Recent questions

  • How prevalent are contract killings globally?

    Contract killings by hitmen have been on the rise, with nearly 3,000 murders committed in 2019 and 2020 alone. This dark world of assassinations shows no signs of decline, highlighting the widespread nature of this criminal activity.

  • What are the limits set by hitmen in their operations?

    Hitmen often set limits on their targets, avoiding killing children and women but considering fathers acceptable targets. This distinction showcases the moral boundaries that some hitmen adhere to in their line of work, despite the nature of their job.

  • How do hitmen in South Africa operate within the taxi industry?

    In South Africa, hitmen are hired by taxi bosses to eliminate competition, leading to a cycle of violence and danger within the industry. This constant demand for assassinations, involving drugs, taxi disputes, and political motivations, paints a grim picture of the environment in which these hitmen operate.

  • What drives individuals in South Africa to become hitmen?

    Poverty and exposure to violence and crime are significant factors that drive many young individuals in South Africa to become hitmen. The case of JoJo, a former college student turned hitman, exemplifies how personal experiences and environmental influences can shape one's path towards a life of contract killings.

  • How do hitmen in South Africa protect themselves spiritually?

    Hitmen in South Africa engage in traditional rituals involving bathing in blood and bile to protect themselves from the spirits of their victims. This practice reflects the deep-rooted fear and vulnerability that permeate the lives of assassins in a culture fueled by corruption and greed, where the consequences of their actions extend far beyond the act of murder.

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Summary

00:00

"Dark World of Contract Killings Revealed"

  • Filming a story about assassins in Los Angeles, meeting a contact who found someone willing to talk.
  • Witnessing a transaction of $880,000 for a hit, revealing the dark world of contract killings.
  • Hitmen murdered nearly 3,000 people globally in 2019 and 2020, with no signs of decline.
  • Interviewing an assassin who changes voice for anonymity, admitting to killing for money.
  • Hitman operates nationwide, including New York, Chicago, and Utah, with over 10 hits done.
  • Hitman avoids surveillance details, emphasizing the difficulty and emotional toll of the job.
  • Hitman sets limits, avoiding killing kids, women, but considers fathers acceptable targets.
  • Hitman acknowledges the emotional weight of killing, especially when victims have loved ones.
  • Exploring South Africa's taxi industry, where violence and assassinations are rampant.
  • Taxi bosses hire Hitmen to eliminate competition, leading to a cycle of violence and danger.

20:57

Rampant Hitmen and Police Corruption in South Africa

  • Professional assassins in South Africa are constantly busy, with a killing needed every day, involving drugs, taxi, and politics.
  • JoJo, a former college student turned hitman, estimates he has killed close to 30 people in his life.
  • Hitmen like JoJo don't inquire about their targets' identities, focusing solely on the payment they receive, which is around 25-30k for a 100k hit.
  • JoJo typically works with three others and a driver, ensuring all involved in the hit are eliminated.
  • Corruption within the police force in South Africa is prevalent, with officers sometimes being warned of impending hits and turning a blind eye.
  • Poverty in South Africa drives many young individuals to become hitmen, as seen in JoJo's case, who grew up surrounded by violence and crime.
  • Witnessing his parents' murder led JoJo to become a hitman, seeking revenge and protection in a dangerous environment.
  • Following the assassination of her husband, Johanna Pena and her children live in fear, as they are targeted by hitmen due to her husband's honesty in reporting fraud.
  • Hitmen like JoJo meticulously plan hits, often disguising themselves as police officers to gain access to their targets.
  • Police corruption in South Africa is systemic, with officers involved in selling guns, clearing areas for hits, and even participating in assassinations, leading to widespread fear and lack of trust in law enforcement.

41:37

Hitmen in South Africa: Blood Rituals and Fear

  • In South Africa, Hitmen engage in traditional rituals involving bathing in blood and bile to protect themselves from the spirits of their victims. The life of an assassin is portrayed as one of fear, vulnerability, and being replaceable, existing in a culture of killing fueled by corruption and greed. The consequences of their actions extend beyond the act of murder, silencing truth, instilling fear, and limiting choices for the powerless.
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