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amaBhungane

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Investigative journalism in the public interest. Digging dung, fertilising democracyhttp://www.amabhungane.org https://t.co/AO4Tw88qTi

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Flyfofa Aviation Training received R148-million in funding from the National Skills Fund. Our investigation found that the flying hours the academy claimed did not match pilots' logbooks, resulting in Flyfofa issuing a R3.8-million credit note to the NSF for outstanding hours. Read the full investigation tomorrow.

Flyfofa Aviation Training received R148-million in funding from the National Skills Fund. Our investigation found that the flying hours the academy claimed did not match pilots' logbooks, resulting in Flyfofa issuing a R3.8-million credit note to the NSF for outstanding hours. Read the full investigation tomorrow.

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Edwin Sodi could soon be blacklisted from government contracts for failing to fix the Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant, which was suspected of having a hand in the deadly 2023 cholera outbreak. Sodi has always claimed he was conned by his deceased business partner, Rudolf Schoeman Jnr. But was there some truth to the allegation? Tomorrow we launch amaBhungane’s first podcast: DEADLY WATER.

Edwin Sodi could soon be blacklisted from government contracts for failing to fix the Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant, which was suspected of having a hand in the deadly 2023 cholera outbreak. Sodi has always claimed he was conned by his deceased business partner, Rudolf Schoeman Jnr. But was there some truth to the allegation? Tomorrow we launch amaBhungane’s first podcast: DEADLY WATER.

374,427 views • 1 year ago

Weeks before Rand Water shutdown in Joburg's water supply and forced residents to queue with buckets, one of the winners of the R263-million water tanker tender was in Paris, just steps behind Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

Weeks before Rand Water shutdown in Joburg's water supply and forced residents to queue with buckets, one of the winners of the R263-million water tanker tender was in Paris, just steps behind Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

253,485 views • 1 year ago

Eskom concedes it made R3-billion irregular payments to diesel suppliers to keep the lights on last year. While it didn’t use the word “prepayments” - a toxic term ever since the 2016 prepayment of R659-million to a Gupta-linked coal mine - its seven-page press release did refer to advanced payments and what is calls “payments outside of the contractual terms”. Eskom made the concession after an amaBhungane investigation showed how the utility awarded contracts potentially worth R21-billion to five suppliers then channelled R3-billion in apparent prepayments to the smaller and more obscure suppliers who were already struggling to deliver enough diesel. AmaBhungane’s Susan Comrie explains:

Eskom concedes it made R3-billion irregular payments to diesel suppliers to keep the lights on last year. While it didn’t use the word “prepayments” - a toxic term ever since the 2016 prepayment of R659-million to a Gupta-linked coal mine - its seven-page press release did refer to advanced payments and what is calls “payments outside of the contractual terms”. Eskom made the concession after an amaBhungane investigation showed how the utility awarded contracts potentially worth R21-billion to five suppliers then channelled R3-billion in apparent prepayments to the smaller and more obscure suppliers who were already struggling to deliver enough diesel. AmaBhungane’s Susan Comrie explains:

22,975 views • 2 months ago

Meet Minnie Mavuso. At 24, the psychology graduate was selling wigs online through her business, Milo Hair Beauté.

Meet Minnie Mavuso. At 24, the psychology graduate was selling wigs online through her business, Milo Hair Beauté.

38,948 views • 5 months ago

Videos show Ralph Stanfield allegedly intimidating a Cape Town central line contractor who refused to use his family enterprise’s community-based organisations to hire those loyal to him as day labourers.

Videos show Ralph Stanfield allegedly intimidating a Cape Town central line contractor who refused to use his family enterprise’s community-based organisations to hire those loyal to him as day labourers.

48,360 views • 7 months ago

From Our Archives: In 2024, Minenhle Mavuso (24) was living two separate lives. In one, the BA psychology graduate ran an online wig store – Milo Hair Beauté – where a super double drawn bob would set you back R1180. In the other, she ran Severino Industries, a company that was bidding for a R21-billion contract to supply diesel to Eskom’s Ankerlig power station.

From Our Archives: In 2024, Minenhle Mavuso (24) was living two separate lives. In one, the BA psychology graduate ran an online wig store – Milo Hair Beauté – where a super double drawn bob would set you back R1180. In the other, she ran Severino Industries, a company that was bidding for a R21-billion contract to supply diesel to Eskom’s Ankerlig power station.

23,634 views • 3 months ago

RALPH STANFIELD’S GRIP ON PRASA An explosive amaBhungane investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting that one of South Africa’s most notorious alleged gang bosses infiltrated a major state infrastructure project — with help from inside. The story centres on the multi-billion-rand reconstruction of Cape Town’s Central Line railway, a lifeline for commuters from the Cape Flats that was shut down after widespread vandalism from 2019 onwards. Alleged 28s gang leader Ralph Stanfield and his wife, Nicole Johnson, used a web of family-linked companies to gain access to contracts flowing from the project. At the heart of the story is PRASA’s head of security, Alexio Papadopulo. Leaked emails, invoices, diaries and testimony from contractors suggest Papadopulo pushed contractors to work with companies linked to Stanfield, presenting them as “facilitators” who could bring stability to a project wracked by violence. This appears to be a textbook mafia-style operation: destabilise a project, then sell “peace” by embedding criminal enterprises into legitimate state contracts. The story raises urgent questions about governance, corruption, and the vulnerability of public infrastructure to organised crime. For the full story, go to:

RALPH STANFIELD’S GRIP ON PRASA An explosive amaBhungane investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting that one of South Africa’s most notorious alleged gang bosses infiltrated a major state infrastructure project — with help from inside. The story centres on the multi-billion-rand reconstruction of Cape Town’s Central Line railway, a lifeline for commuters from the Cape Flats that was shut down after widespread vandalism from 2019 onwards. Alleged 28s gang leader Ralph Stanfield and his wife, Nicole Johnson, used a web of family-linked companies to gain access to contracts flowing from the project. At the heart of the story is PRASA’s head of security, Alexio Papadopulo. Leaked emails, invoices, diaries and testimony from contractors suggest Papadopulo pushed contractors to work with companies linked to Stanfield, presenting them as “facilitators” who could bring stability to a project wracked by violence. This appears to be a textbook mafia-style operation: destabilise a project, then sell “peace” by embedding criminal enterprises into legitimate state contracts. The story raises urgent questions about governance, corruption, and the vulnerability of public infrastructure to organised crime. For the full story, go to:

41,632 views • 7 months ago

Intercape says taxi-related intimidation in Ngcobo has reached crisis levels, with blocked roads, armed confrontations and police inaction forcing it back to court. A new High Court order now compels SAPS to provide escorts and visible patrols to protect passengers.

Intercape says taxi-related intimidation in Ngcobo has reached crisis levels, with blocked roads, armed confrontations and police inaction forcing it back to court. A new High Court order now compels SAPS to provide escorts and visible patrols to protect passengers.

52,406 views • 11 months ago

In 2015, SAFA bought a water park for R65-million. 8 years later there’s little sign of the world-class technical centre that was promised. SAFA wants another R600-million for Fun Valley. But when #BanyanaBanyana asked for bonuses, SAFA said it couldn’t afford it.

In 2015, SAFA bought a water park for R65-million. 8 years later there’s little sign of the world-class technical centre that was promised. SAFA wants another R600-million for Fun Valley. But when #BanyanaBanyana asked for bonuses, SAFA said it couldn’t afford it.

103,138 views • 3 years ago

For CMS Water Engineering, the R291-million Rooiwal contract alongside Edwin Sodi was just the beginning. In 2020, it secured an even bigger one: a R328-million slice of a R1.2-billion contract in Botswana, alongside Simbi Phiri’s Khato Civils. But as CMS entered the big league, the demons that had long haunted Rudolf Schoeman Jnr began spilling over into CMS’ work as well: “[Die kliënt] het fotos van hom waar … hy’s uitgepas binne in die bakkie voor die meeting… 9 uur in die oggend.” Read the investigation: Or listen to the Deadly Water podcast on Spotify or Soundcloud:

For CMS Water Engineering, the R291-million Rooiwal contract alongside Edwin Sodi was just the beginning. In 2020, it secured an even bigger one: a R328-million slice of a R1.2-billion contract in Botswana, alongside Simbi Phiri’s Khato Civils. But as CMS entered the big league, the demons that had long haunted Rudolf Schoeman Jnr began spilling over into CMS’ work as well: “[Die kliënt] het fotos van hom waar … hy’s uitgepas binne in die bakkie voor die meeting… 9 uur in die oggend.” Read the investigation: Or listen to the Deadly Water podcast on Spotify or Soundcloud:

24,423 views • 11 months ago

In part one of #DirtyFuels we showed how PetroSA sold R933-million in diesel to Nako Energy, a company that couldn't put up guarantees and failed to pay. In part two, coming soon, we examine an even larger ‘contaminated’ petrol deal potentially worth a staggering R11-billion. In the meantime, check out our video recap.

In part one of #DirtyFuels we showed how PetroSA sold R933-million in diesel to Nako Energy, a company that couldn't put up guarantees and failed to pay. In part two, coming soon, we examine an even larger ‘contaminated’ petrol deal potentially worth a staggering R11-billion. In the meantime, check out our video recap.

31,777 views • 1 year ago

Before funding was approved, Rubicon’s accreditation with the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Seta had already lapsed. Without accreditation, training cannot lead to a recognised qualification. The project was approved anyway. Watch our breakdown and read the full story at

Before funding was approved, Rubicon’s accreditation with the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Seta had already lapsed. Without accreditation, training cannot lead to a recognised qualification. The project was approved anyway. Watch our breakdown and read the full story at

14,239 views • 6 months ago

Why does the IDT—a little-known public entity managing billions in infrastructure projects—keep facing scrutiny? Our investigation revealed alleged nepotism and irregular contracts. Our next story will expose political interference. Stay tuned for the next #IDTMistrust

Why does the IDT—a little-known public entity managing billions in infrastructure projects—keep facing scrutiny? Our investigation revealed alleged nepotism and irregular contracts. Our next story will expose political interference. Stay tuned for the next #IDTMistrust

24,829 views • 1 year ago

How many CEOs does a state-owned entity need? The astonishing high turn-over rate of CEOs at PetroSA has led to a ballooning salary bill and serious questions about how a R23-billion/year business is being run.

How many CEOs does a state-owned entity need? The astonishing high turn-over rate of CEOs at PetroSA has led to a ballooning salary bill and serious questions about how a R23-billion/year business is being run.

15,765 views • 1 year ago

"Tell no lies, claim no easy victories" – amaBhungane's first documentary. Catch it this Sunday evening on Carte Blanche and dive into the full-length documentary available on from Sunday night. Or via our partners Daily Maverick and News24 🇿🇦 "

"Tell no lies, claim no easy victories" – amaBhungane's first documentary. Catch it this Sunday evening on Carte Blanche and dive into the full-length documentary available on from Sunday night. Or via our partners Daily Maverick and News24 🇿🇦 "

17,790 views • 1 year ago

When a court bars a journalist from asking questions, it’s not just the press that’s silenced — it’s the public’s right to know. This is the story of ARTsolar, a gag order, and why amaBhungane stepped in to defend press freedom.

When a court bars a journalist from asking questions, it’s not just the press that’s silenced — it’s the public’s right to know. This is the story of ARTsolar, a gag order, and why amaBhungane stepped in to defend press freedom.

12,212 views • 1 year ago