Are we fighting crime or ticking boxes? | Oonagh van den Berg

The Zondo Files

The red flags were there. Why didn't anybody stop it? The Zondo Commission exposed far more than corruption — it exposed the weaknesses of the systems meant to prevent it. This episode explores the AML lessons hidden within South Africa's state capture saga, including PEP risk, consulting fee abuse, governance failures, and the role of professional firms and financial institutions. The real question is not how state capture happened, but why so many controls failed to detect it. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-pretorius-2026a55/] · The Shepherds of Inequality [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shepherds-Inequality-Futility-Efforts-Stop/dp/1669848469/] · Beyond Play [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Play-Down-Earth-Governance/dp/1493194356/]

Lies, Tells, and Body Language with David Allan

Body language, deception detection, and the signals liars can't hide. Can you really spot a liar? In this fascinating episode of The Laundromat, Dawn Pretorius sits down with internationally renowned body language expert David Allen to separate fact from fiction in deception detection. From eye movements and nervous gestures to interview techniques used by law enforcement, David explains how behavioural analysis can reveal discomfort, concealment, and potential deception. He shares real-world cases involving criminal investigations, false reports, and leadership environments, while exploring why body language is never about a single "tell" but a pattern of clues. The discussion also examines the role of AI, the importance of establishing behavioural baselines, and how investigators, compliance professionals, and business leaders can use these skills to ask better questions and uncover the truth. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-pretorius-2026a55/] · The Shepherds of Inequality [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shepherds-Inequality-Futility-Efforts-Stop/dp/1669848469/] · Beyond Play [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Play-Down-Earth-Governance/dp/1493194356/]

Under the Radar: Terrorism and Security in South Africa

In South Africa, terrorism hasn’t historically taken the form of large-scale, frequent attacks like you’d see in places affected by groups like ISIS or Al-Qaeda. Instead, the threat is lower in frequency but still very real — and evolving. Organised crime networks are deeply entrenched. These networks — while not terrorist in nature — can overlap with terrorism in terms of smuggling routes, forged documents, and illicit financing. SA is a transit point, a funding node, and a recruitment ground. How do we manage this? Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-pretorius-2026a55/] · The Shepherds of Inequality [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shepherds-Inequality-Futility-Efforts-Stop/dp/1669848469/] · Beyond Play [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Play-Down-Earth-Governance/dp/1493194356/]

Drugs move. Money wins | Why financial flows (not drug seizures) describe the global drug war

Governments seize tons of drugs every year — yet the global drug trade continues to expand. Why? In this episode of The Laundromat, Dawn Pretorius examines what actually works in the fight against drug trafficking. From border interdictions and crop eradication to international cooperation and demand reduction, she breaks down why the most visible strategies often produce the least structural impact. The core argument is simple: trafficking survives because profits are successfully laundered. As long as money moves through financial systems, trade channels, shell companies, and professional enablers, drug markets regenerate. For AML and compliance professionals, this episode reframes the debate — the real battleground isn’t at the border. It’s in the financial system. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-pretorius-2026a55/] · The Shepherds of Inequality [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shepherds-Inequality-Futility-Efforts-Stop/dp/1669848469/] · Beyond Play [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Play-Down-Earth-Governance/dp/1493194356/]

How organised crime professionalised in South Africa | Chad Thomas

In the first 2026 episode of The Laundromat, Dawn Pretorius speaks to veteran investigator Chad Thomas about how organised crime in South Africa has evolved into structured, corporate-style enterprises. From a billion-rand international boiler room scam to the use of boutiques, barber shops and churches as laundering vehicles, Chad exposes how criminal networks professionalise and scale. He discusses South Africa’s cash-heavy economy, the misuse of POPIA, “tick-box” compliance culture, and the real impact of the country’s removal from the FATF grey list. This episode is a hard look at the financial backbone of organised crime — and why disrupting money flows matters more than ever. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-pretorius-2026a55/] · The Shepherds of Inequality [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shepherds-Inequality-Futility-Efforts-Stop/dp/1669848469/] · Beyond Play [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Play-Down-Earth-Governance/dp/1493194356/]