By Gcina Ntsaluba The World Cup might be running like a well-oiled machine on the surface but behind the closed doors of the Local Organising Committee offices, a “war” is brewing. Conspiracy theories of a possible coup d’état on chief organiser Danny Jordaan by his deputy, Irvin Khoza, have been going around, and according to […]
amaBhungane
amaBhungane are the investigators of the M&G Centre for Investigative Journalism, a non-profit, public interest initiative to produce better investigative stories and plough back through internships and advocacy. On this blog, amaBhungane -- seasoned and award-winning journalists -- will penetrate the world of smoke and mirrors to bring you the story behind the story.
www.amabhungane.co.za
Posted inNews/Politics, Sport
Fifa: Time for a coup?
By Adriaan Basson Who owns the sea? (BP might think they do, but no.) And street cricket? And climbing up Table Mountain? Horse racing? And walking your dog? So why do we allow Fifa to continue behaving as if they own the beautiful game? Why should I be forced to pay R30 for one reddish […]
Posted inGeneral
The story that almost changed my life
By Jackie Mapiloko For the last two months I’ve been working on a story that was going to change my life. It should have been published weeks ago, but I remember saying to my boss: “There’s something missing, I need more time.” If this story’s aim was to make every humanitarians stomach turn with anger, […]
Posted inGeneral
This is why we write about strip clubs
By Ilham Rawoot Some readers seem to have gotten the wrong idea about Amabhungane’s coverage of the strip-club industry — coverage that we plan to continue. Some comments are that I, as the writer, am a prude, that I am against the decriminalisation of prostitution, and that what I am writing about in this regard […]
Posted inGeneral
The World Cup’s two faces
By Gcina Ntsaluba Cape Town was a bit of a buzz this week with celebrations to mark the 30-day countdown to the kick-off of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Even the mayor, Dan Plato, showed up at the celebrations to share the spotlight with local artists, including JR of “make da circle bigger” fame to […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Our government idolises crime
By Jackie Mapiloko Just over a week ago I woke up to the news that my brother and his wife were shot in their home. Three bullets went through his spine and his wife was hit in the neck and stomach. He will never walk again. She is still in intensive care and can’t remember […]
Posted inLifestyle
The lap-dance industry and persistent blind eyes
by Ilham Rawoot It’s quite something for a young lady to visit a strip club. I’d always thought of myself as rather liberal, but I found myself averting my gaze from anything round for quite a while. And when I finally got a bit more comfortable, I wish I’d remained coy. You see, men don’t […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Selebi trial leaves more questions than answers
By Sam Sole There is little pleasure in watching Jackie Selebi unravel under cross-examination in the South Gauteng High Court. The case is too cold for that. Selebi is far from the swaggering figure he was when he was commissioner of police (General Cele take note) — and he could bank on the president and […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Chancellor House and the art of grabbing
By Stefaans Brümmer amaBhungane’s dictionary entry for the day: grabology n. The systematic, usually practical study of the optimum means to grab as much as you can, while you can, because you can — after all, you’re a pompous political prick and who gives a damn about the poor? amaBhungane’s insight for the day: Simple […]
Posted inMedia
What should we investigate?
By Adriaan Basson Being an investigative journalist, a question one often hears from friends, family or followers is: “Why don’t you rather investigate X or Y?” When I started working as a journalist, I was afraid that I would not have enough material to write about. Today one of the hardest decisions we often have […]