Under the Radar: Terrorism and Security in South Africa

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/]

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

Discover what FSIs can do (and should do) but don't do, to fight crime. This episode with Oonagh van den Berg of Raw Compliance takes a bold step in re-looking at how we comply with our AML regulatory requirements. Oonagh argues that many current control frameworks are not fully fit for purpose as they were designed for a slower financial world and struggle to keep up with instant payments, embedded finance, crypto, and AI-driven fraud. While these frameworks may be technically compliant, they lack operational effectiveness. The conversation covers issues of overregulation, data fragmentation, the disconnect between compliance and business operations, and the limitations of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluations. Oonagh advocates for a shift from rule-based to data-first, dynamic, and tech-enabled frameworks that can adapt to evolving criminal behaviours. She stresses the importance of compliance officers developing skills in data analytics, technology, and business understanding rather than focusing solely on regulatory knowledge 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/]

A lifestyle audit is just a piece of paper. Why bother?

Lifestyle audits are symbolically unsubstantial. Lifestyle audits can be extremely valuable, especially considering the high level of crime within the public sector, and South Africa is a notable example. Many public departments treat audits as mere self-reporting exercises without verification. There is poor follow-through on findings, a lack of mandatory referral to criminal procedures, complications with offshore assets, and political interference. Pretorius concludes that lifestyle audits in South Africa remain largely symbolic rather than substantive, exposing corruption without deterring it. She argues that for lifestyle audits to be effective, they must be backed by law, enforced independently, and result in asset seizure and confiscation. Imagine what could change? 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/]