There is a Global Free Speech Recession and South Africa is not immune

Caroline James and Jacob Mchangama

13 March, 2024

A new Bill working its way through the South African Parliament has the potential to dramatically alter the freedom of speech environment in the country.

The hunt for Howie Baker’s billions

Dewald van Rensburg and Sam Sole

8 March, 2024

Howard “Howie” Baker is seemingly on the ropes.

Sasfin’s existential can of worms and the risk to other banks

Dewald van Rensburg

5 March, 2024

SARS’ shock claims against Sasfin Bank stem from billions in payments made by a number of companies, many of which have previously featured in amaBhungane reporting on the local and regional money laundering industry.

SARS blocks access to Zuma’s tax records, again

AmaBhungane Advocacy

21 February, 2024

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will not reveal former president Jacob Zuma’s tax records, despite a Constitutional Court ruling that blanket tax secrecy is unconstitutional.

Update: High Court skewers police over failure to investigate attacks on Intercape buses as ‘organised crime’

Buyeleni Sibanyoni

12 February, 2024

Long distance bus company Intercape has won a court order forcing police, including the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), to conduct a coordinated investigation into claims that rogue taxi associations in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng are.

Analysis: Gupta-linked deal shows just how weak the NPA is

Sam Sole | AmaBhungane Managing Partner

2 February, 2024

The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) settlement with ex-Gupta crony Daniel McGowan will hand him control of Optimum Coal Mine (OCM) and its valuable export arm, Optimum Coal Terminal (OCT) – both in business rescue – without a proper.

Steinhoff’s dogged battle to keep its secrets

Caroline James

29 January, 2024

We all know the story of Steinhoff and Markus Jooste.

PetroSA taps notorious political operator for massive offshore gas deal

Susan Comrie

24 January, 2024

On 11 December, the Petroleum, Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) held a two-hour press conference to try to defend its R3.

Police minister’s ‘confidant’ embroiled in Hawks human trafficking for sex probe

Graeme Hosken and Tankiso Makhetha

17 January, 2024

Controversial businessman Panganathan “Timmy” Marimuthu, a former drug dealer previously recruited and paid by crime intelligence – allegedly to influence police minister Bheki Cele – is a person of interest in a Hawks trafficking-for-sex investigation.

Public Investment Corporation: suspended COO’s R4.5m ‘suspicious transactions’

Tebogo Tshwane

19 December, 2023

Forensic investigators appointed by the state-owned asset manager, the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), have recommended reporting suspended chief operating officer Vuyani Hako to the police.

Analysis: Who is behind the Tongaat Hulett bid battle?

Sam Sole | AmaBhungane Managing Partner

13 December, 2023

Things have been sour for sugar giant Tongaat Hulett since 2019, when a new management team uncovered accounting failures and alleged fraud that led to a R12-billion reversal in the company’s valuation.

Tongaat Hulett bidder in scathing attack on business rescue process

Sam Sole | AmaBhungane Managing Partner

Leaked letters have blown the lid off backroom battles that Tongaat Hulett rescue bidder RGS alleges show that the business rescue practitioners (BRP’s) have attempted to sideline them in favour of a rival bid led by IT mogul Robert Gumede.