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.

Commentary: Cleaner tenders? Not likely.

Caroline James

6 December, 2023

Corruption is eating away at South Africa’s economy, our integrity and our sustainability.

Verdict: Karpowership’s owner slammed for discrimination against BEE partners

Susan Comrie

2 December, 2023

Former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo has eviscerated Karpowership’s Turkish owner over its “biased” and “oppressive” shareholders’ agreement with its black empowerment partners.

A scramble for the broke and broken Habib bank

Dewald van Rensburg

29 November, 2023

Mysterious anonymous investors from Limpopo, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, as well as one of Botswana’s richest politicians, are allegedly all separately poised to spend hundreds of millions of rands to save and take control of the controversial Habib Overseas Bank.

PetroSA pushes for R3.7bn deal with Russia

Susan Comrie

22 November, 2023

The state-owned Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) wants to partner with Russia’s Gazprombank to restart the gas-to-liquids refinery in Mossel Bay.

R462m ‘megafarm’ land reform project in disarray after North West department fails to release funding

Magnificent Mndebele

10 November, 2023

Photographs by Magnificent Mndebele In the lush plantation fields of Skeerpoort, situated about half an hour’s drive from Brits in the North West province, lies the farming community of Khutso-Naketsi.

Corruption cloud over Popcru leader on the eve of congress

Sam Sole

3 November, 2023

The Hawks are investigating a case of corruption and money laundering implicating current Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) treasurer Thulani Nsele and former prisons boss and notorious Popcru enabler Khulekani Sithole.

A daily cry for help: the dark picture that emerges from amaBhungane’s tip-offs

Buyeleni Sibanyoni

23 October, 2023

“I am looking for someone who is willing to help me.