Image of Lithops salicola from Wikimedia Commons In part one of our new mini-series focusing mainly on plant trafficking, we looked at the seriousness and the extent of the problem, which affects South Africa too, and the role that social media plays in enabling it. In this second part we take a high-level look at Read more >
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Image of Conophytum tumidum from Wikimedia Commons They might look unprepossessing – tiny little fleshy plants, many of which closely resemble stones, nestling between the rocks in some of the most arid parts of South Africa. But for some time now, the country’s residents have been reading media reports about those very indigenous plants, particularly Read more >
Extortion (noun)The act of getting something, especially money, by force or threats ~ Cambridge Dictionary. Gauteng is a busy province, South Africa’s most populous – although its smallest according to land area – and is viewed as the country’s financial and economic hub. Not surprisingly, with all this activity, Gauteng is also a busy place Read more >
By Susan RussellFirst published on Africa In Fact The first issue of Africa in Fact published last year, in January, dealt in depth with the scourge of Transnational Organised Crime (TOC) in all its toxic forms in Africa, a global phenomenon that poses a direct threat to good governance in every corner of our continent. Read more >
In November 2023 we reported on a new project by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), which would monitor crime activity in the Western Cape (WC) province, which struggles with crime like many other areas in the country. The first issue of the Western Cape Gang Monitor, released in October, was based on Read more >
In January this year we reported on the illicit copper economy in South Africa and how not only petty crooks are involved in the theft of this sought-after metal, but also big, highly organised criminal syndicates. Our mini-series was based on a research report titled South Africa’s Illicit Copper Economy, released in December 2023 by Read more >
By Walter Kemp First published on GI-TOC Organised crime is moving up the international agenda. People and governments are becoming increasingly concerned about violence and instability associated with criminality. The recent crises in Haiti and Ecuador are cases in point. These are accompanied by a wide array of emerging threats from synthetic drugs to piracy Read more >
In our new two-part mini series, we consider the devastating effect of the relentless theft of copper on South Africa’s infrastructure, and the consequent burden such theft places on the country’s economy and society – important topics to consider in this election year. Part one sets the scene as it stands currently, and part two Read more >
In our new two-part mini series, we consider the devastating effect of the relentless theft of copper on South Africa’s infrastructure, and the consequent burden such theft places on the country’s economy and society – important topics to consider in this election year. Part one sets the scene as it stands currently, and part two Read more >