A series of investigations has brought South Africans into a world that is rarely seen in full view. At the centre is what has become known as the ‘Big Five cartel’, a network that connects organised crime, business, and individuals within law enforcement.
In this episode of CheckPoint Podcast, Nkepile Mabuse sits down with multi-award winning investigative journalist Sabelo Skiti. They unpack how that world operates and how it was exposed. The conversation traces how investigators piece together complex cases using a combination of traditional detective work and modern technology. From analysing cell phone data and CCTV footage, to reconstructing crime scenes and tracking financial flows, Skiti highlights the level of detail required to build credible cases.
Skiti also challenges a widely held perception that law enforcement lacks capability. The reporting shows that specialised units and skilled detectives are capable of highly sophisticated investigations. However, that capability is uneven and, in some cases, undermined.
The episode also explores how organised crime operates as a system. Criminal activity is not isolated. It is structured, financed, and often linked to legitimate business fronts. In some cases, proceeds are reintegrated into the formal economy, blurring the line between lawful and unlawful activity. Several case studies illustrate this dynamic. These include attempted assassinations linked to broader power struggles, kidnappings where critical leads were not pursued, and networks that extend across provinces and industries. Each case adds another layer to understanding how these systems function.
Nkepile and Skiti also discuss the role of investigative journalism amidst the web of organised crime. By connecting evidence, identifying patterns, and bringing hidden networks into public view, reporting plays a key role in prompting scrutiny and response.
There are signs of institutional reaction, with efforts to strengthen specialised investigative units and replicate successful models in tackling organised crime. Whether these efforts will be sustained remains an open question.
What emerges is a complex picture. There is both capability and vulnerability within the system. There are individuals working to uphold the law and others accused of undermining it. It all comes down to a simple, and yet somehow complicated issue: why accountability remains a central issue in South Africa’s justice landscape.