Boots on the ground

Follow Boots on the ground
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

In this short podcast series, we follow Sunday Times top investigative journalists as they cover the real stories that make-up SA’s national headlines. Boots on the ground is a true piece of mobile journalism — all interviews, voices and sound effects have been gathered using nothing but smartphones. Boots on the ground is a production of MultimediaLIVE, a division of Arena Holdings. PLEASE NOTE: This podcast may contain explicit and sensitive content. Listener discretion is advised. #COVID-19, #SALockdown, #Coronavirus, #Investigation, #Police

MultimediaLIVE


    • Dec 4, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 27m AVG DURATION
    • 80 EPISODES


    More podcasts from MultimediaLIVE

    Search for episodes from Boots on the ground with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Boots on the ground

    Cape of Cocaine EP 4 - 'go to prison, meet nice guys, become a nice guy'

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2022 39:06


    In February 2018 assassins murdered Bulgarian couple Angelo Dimov and Nessie Peeva in their home at around 11 am in the Cape Town suburb of Bergvliet. It was not a house burglary gone wrong, it was a hit ordered by a British cocaine dealer who felt he was double crossed. There was more to Dimov and Peeva than their friends in the Cape Town southern suburbs knew. Dimov was an alleged member of the Bulgarian mafia, a secretive criminal organisation which would go from successfully cloning thousands of credit cards raking in millions of rand to drug dealing. Their murders remain unsolved but a burglary, a kidnapping, and a pile of diamonds give clues as to what may have led to their demise. The British man who is allegedly connected to their murder is also allegedly a major cocaine dealer and he was playing the same game as the Bulgarian mafia and their fixer Asen Ivanov. This week in Cape of Cocaine we reveal for the first time details about Dimov and Peeva's murders and we delve into lives of the men who helped Ivanov become a major cocaine trafficker.

    Cape of Cocaine EP 4 - 'go to prison, meet nice guys, become a nice guy'

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2022 39:06


    In February 2018 assassins murdered Bulgarian couple Angelo Dimov and Nessie Peeva in their home at around 11 am in the Cape Town suburb of Bergvliet. It was not a house burglary gone wrong, it was a hit ordered by a British cocaine dealer who felt he was double crossed. There was more to Dimov and Peeva than their friends in the Cape Town southern suburbs knew. Dimov was an alleged member of the Bulgarian mafia, a secretive criminal organisation which would go from successfully cloning thousands of credit cards raking in millions of rand to drug dealing. Their murders remain unsolved but a burglary, a kidnapping, and a pile of diamonds give clues as to what may have led to their demise. The British man who is allegedly connected to their murder is also allegedly a major cocaine dealer and he was playing the same game as the Bulgarian mafia and their fixer Asen Ivanov. This week in Cape of Cocaine we reveal for the first time details about Dimov and Peeva's murders and we delve into lives of the men who helped Ivanov become a major cocaine trafficker. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Cape of Cocaine EP 3 - Cocaine Inc: Chasing Ivanov, the Bulgarian mafia's fixer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2022 30:20


    It's February 2014 and Hawks Warrant Officer Johan Combrinck has received a tip-off through Interpol that Bulgarian men were busy constructing a large drug lab in a mansion in the Cape Town suburb of Durbanville. On the evening of 24 February Combrinck parked his car opposite the house and conducted a steak-out. The smell of sulphur was in the air, a sign to Combrinck that chemicals used for processing drugs were nearby. In the house Combrinck could see movement. And then a man wearing a hazmat suite and gas mask appears in sight. It's the same equipment which Combrinck and his men use to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals when they destroy drug labs. The next day Combrinck and his Hawks colleagues arrive at the house with a court order. They knock on the door. The man who opens it introduces himself as Asen Ivanov.

    Cape of Cocaine EP 3 - Cocaine Inc: Chasing Ivanov, the Bulgarian mafia's fixer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2022 30:20


    It's February 2014 and Hawks Warrant Officer Johan Combrinck has received a tip-off through Interpol that Bulgarian men were busy constructing a large drug lab in a mansion in the Cape Town suburb of Durbanville. On the evening of 24 February Combrinck parked his car opposite the house and conducted a steak-out. The smell of sulphur was in the air, a sign to Combrinck that chemicals used for processing drugs were nearby. In the house Combrinck could see movement. And then a man wearing a hazmat suite and gas mask appears in sight. It's the same equipment which Combrinck and his men use to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals when they destroy drug labs. The next day Combrinck and his Hawks colleagues arrive at the house with a court order. They knock on the door. The man who opens it introduces himself as Asen Ivanov. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Cape of Cocaine EP 2 - The ghost ships haunting SA's shores

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2022 30:42


    Out there with the legendary Flying Dutchman is a fleet of 'ghost ships' trafficking cocaine from South America to destinations around the globe. They are invisible to satellites and tracking systems and make lonely voyages undetected, sometimes across rough seas. The Atlantic Warrior is one of them. She belongs to the Bulgarian Mafia and trafficked cocaine from Brazil to Saldanha Bay off the South African West Coast. She is now missing after TimesLIVE Investigations journalist Aron Hyman spoke about her involvement in drug trafficking on Bulgarian national television.  Following the arrests of Asen Ivanov and his Bulgarian associates for possession of a tonne of cocaine on 1 March last year police managed to confiscate three ships belonging to the syndicate. It's believed others are still out in the ocean possibly still trafficking cocaine around the world.  Episode two of Cape of Cocaine reveals how a fleet of ships trafficked drugs between South America to South Africa and eventually off to Australia on an industrial scale. 

    Cape of Cocaine EP 2 - The ghost ships haunting SA's shores

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2022 30:42


    Out there with the legendary Flying Dutchman is a fleet of 'ghost ships' trafficking cocaine from South America to destinations around the globe. They are invisible to satellites and tracking systems and make lonely voyages undetected, sometimes across rough seas. The Atlantic Warrior is one of them. She belongs to the Bulgarian Mafia and trafficked cocaine from Brazil to Saldanha Bay off the South African West Coast. She is now missing after TimesLIVE Investigations journalist Aron Hyman spoke about her involvement in drug trafficking on Bulgarian national television.  Following the arrests of Asen Ivanov and his Bulgarian associates for possession of a tonne of cocaine on 1 March last year police managed to confiscate three ships belonging to the syndicate. It's believed others are still out in the ocean possibly still trafficking cocaine around the world.  Episode two of Cape of Cocaine reveals how a fleet of ships trafficked drugs between South America to South Africa and eventually off to Australia on an industrial scale.  Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Cape of Cocaine EP 1 - Discovery on the shores of Saldanha Bay

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 34:24


    On March 1 2021 the Windward, a Bulgarian mafia cocaine ship, was three days behind schedule docking at Saldanha Bay harbour on SA's west coast. Bulgarian cocaine fleet manager Asen Ivanov and his Bulgarian associates were waiting, probably worried their Myanmar crew had become lost in thick fog or rough seas.  Unbeknown to him, he had much bigger problems because watching the mafia's every move was Lt-Col Johan Smit and members of the Western Cape police's narcotics unit. When the drug dealers approached the ship, the moment the police officers had been planning for months arrived. They were on the cusp of one of the biggest drug busts in SA history and inadvertently exposing a large secret crime organisation.

    Cape of Cocaine EP 1 - Discovery on the shores of Saldanha Bay

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 34:24


    On March 1 2021 the Windward, a Bulgarian mafia cocaine ship, was three days behind schedule docking at Saldanha Bay harbour on SA's west coast. Bulgarian cocaine fleet manager Asen Ivanov and his Bulgarian associates were waiting, probably worried their Myanmar crew had become lost in thick fog or rough seas.  Unbeknown to him, he had much bigger problems because watching the mafia's every move was Lt-Col Johan Smit and members of the Western Cape police's narcotics unit. When the drug dealers approached the ship, the moment the police officers had been planning for months arrived. They were on the cusp of one of the biggest drug busts in SA history and inadvertently exposing a large secret crime organisation. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Cape of Cocaine - Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 2:47


    One of the biggest cocaine busts in South Africa's history, on the misty shores of Saldanha Bay, lifted the lid on an international drug-smuggling ring led by the Bulgarian mafia. But the syndicate brought more than just the drug to this country's shores. Cape of Cocaine is a mini podcast series unpacking the group's operations and its dealings in South Africa. It's a tale of drugs, ghost ships, corruption and assassinations. Join me, Orrin Singh, every Monday from November 14 as I delve into the inner workings of the Bulgarian Mafia's operations on our shores, talking to journalists, investigators, partygoers and gangsters, among others.. Cape of Cocaine is brought to you by Boots on the Ground, a TimesLIVE and Arena Holdings production.

    Cape of Cocaine - Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 2:47


    One of the biggest cocaine busts in South Africa's history, on the misty shores of Saldanha Bay, lifted the lid on an international drug-smuggling ring led by the Bulgarian mafia. But the syndicate brought more than just the drug to this country's shores. Cape of Cocaine is a mini podcast series unpacking the group's operations and its dealings in South Africa. It's a tale of drugs, ghost ships, corruption and assassinations. Join me, Orrin Singh, every Monday from November 14 as I delve into the inner workings of the Bulgarian Mafia's operations on our shores, talking to journalists, investigators, partygoers and gangsters, among others.. Cape of Cocaine is brought to you by Boots on the Ground, a TimesLIVE and Arena Holdings production. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Truck drivers ‘flying' to meet increased export demand blamed for road carnage

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2022 21:14


    The horrific crash between a truck and bakkie that claimed the lives of 20 people, including 18 pupils, on the N2 in Pongola, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on September 16 has shone a spotlight on the cracks in SA's road freight industry.  The rising global demand for coal caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine has hurt the local trucking industry as it races to meet growing export demands amid a crisis. This increased demand has resulted in more heavy vehicles on SA's national roads, particularly on the N2. In this episode of Boots on the Ground: Behind SA's National Headlines, we look at why our national roads have become unsafe; the role of the freight industry in the carnage, particularly the working conditions of truck drivers, and what needs to be done to make SA's roads safe.   We hear from various stakeholders including trucking industry associations, drivers, concerned citizens and the government.

    Truck drivers ‘flying' to meet increased export demand blamed for road carnage

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2022 21:14


    The horrific crash between a truck and bakkie that claimed the lives of 20 people, including 18 pupils, on the N2 in Pongola, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on September 16 has shone a spotlight on the cracks in SA's road freight industry.  The rising global demand for coal caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine has hurt the local trucking industry as it races to meet growing export demands amid a crisis. This increased demand has resulted in more heavy vehicles on SA's national roads, particularly on the N2. In this episode of Boots on the Ground: Behind SA's National Headlines, we look at why our national roads have become unsafe; the role of the freight industry in the carnage, particularly the working conditions of truck drivers, and what needs to be done to make SA's roads safe.   We hear from various stakeholders including trucking industry associations, drivers, concerned citizens and the government. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Royal Rumble - how are Zulu monarchs actually selected?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2022 30:02


    Welcome to Royal Rumble, a short podcast series. This series is dedicated to celebrating the amaZulu Monarchy and its traditions; while unravelling the complicated power dynamics associated with traditional succession and leadership. In this first episode of our three part series, we focus on the significance of traditional leadership and the contradictory parallel existence of a constitutional democracy and a traditional monarchy within SA. SA already has a president, so why do its various clans need traditional rulers or kings? What authority and sway is associated with the title of king of the Zulu's? How is succession decided? And what ramifications lie in wait, if a traditional king's authority is questioned? 

    Royal Rumble - how are Zulu monarchs actually selected?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2022 30:02


    Welcome to Royal Rumble, a short podcast series. This series is dedicated to celebrating the amaZulu Monarchy and its traditions; while unravelling the complicated power dynamics associated with traditional succession and leadership. In this first episode of our three part series, we focus on the significance of traditional leadership and the contradictory parallel existence of a constitutional democracy and a traditional monarchy within SA. SA already has a president, so why do its various clans need traditional rulers or kings? What authority and sway is associated with the title of king of the Zulu's? How is succession decided? And what ramifications lie in wait, if a traditional king's authority is questioned?  Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    The bloodiest days in SA's democratic history

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2022 57:19


    In today's episode of Boots on the Ground, behind SA's biggest headlines we commemorate the bloodiest days in our democratic history, by not only reliving what our country went through, but also trying to make sense of it. You will hear testimony from looters themselves, who saw an opportunity and took it, community members who witnessed racial tension rip through their hometowns, vigilantes justifying gun-toting to protect their homes and recollections from journalists on the ground.   Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    The bloodiest days in SA's democratic history

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2022 57:19


    In today's episode of Boots on the Ground, behind SA's biggest headlines we commemorate the bloodiest days in our democratic history, by not only reliving what our country went through, but also trying to make sense of it. You will hear testimony from looters themselves, who saw an opportunity and took it, community members who witnessed racial tension rip through their hometowns, vigilantes justifying gun-toting to protect their homes and recollections from journalists on the ground.  

    SA'S IS CRISIS | State lets scores of fighters return from Syria in secret scheme

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2022 39:24


    The government is repatriating hundreds of South Africans and their families, who for years fought for and aided the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, providing them with new identity documents and a means to resettle. A TimesLIVE investigation can reveal the repatriations — done through the international relations and cooperation and home affairs departments, with the State Security Agency's (SSA) approval — began in 2019, shortly after IS's caliphate in Syria and Iraq collapsed. The repatriations have met stiff resistance from SAPS and Hawks officers investigating terrorism cases. Anti-terrorism officers say repatriations are “growing SA's IS ranks”, with police unable to effectively monitor returnees because of a lack of resources.

    SA'S IS CRISIS | State lets scores of fighters return from Syria in secret scheme

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2022 39:24


    The government is repatriating hundreds of South Africans and their families, who for years fought for and aided the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, providing them with new identity documents and a means to resettle. A TimesLIVE investigation can reveal the repatriations — done through the international relations and cooperation and home affairs departments, with the State Security Agency's (SSA) approval — began in 2019, shortly after IS's caliphate in Syria and Iraq collapsed. The repatriations have met stiff resistance from SAPS and Hawks officers investigating terrorism cases. Anti-terrorism officers say repatriations are “growing SA's IS ranks”, with police unable to effectively monitor returnees because of a lack of resources. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Inside Gauteng's psychiatric healthcare crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2022 22:15


    In today's episode of “Boots on the ground: Behind SA's national headlines”, we dive into the state of psychiatric healthcare in SA, particularly in some of Gauteng's public hospitals in the inner cities and townships. We look at the challenges faced by hospitals when it comes to the treatment of psychiatric patients and how they have affected their staff and other patients, and what is being done to address this worsening issue.

    Inside Gauteng's psychiatric healthcare crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2022 22:15


    In today's episode of “Boots on the ground: Behind SA's national headlines”, we dive into the state of psychiatric healthcare in SA, particularly in some of Gauteng's public hospitals in the inner cities and townships. We look at the challenges faced by hospitals when it comes to the treatment of psychiatric patients and how they have affected their staff and other patients, and what is being done to address this worsening issue. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Here is why kidnapping for ransom cases have exploded in SA

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2022 32:47


    In today's episode of Boots on the ground: behind South Africa's national headlines, we dive into the secretive, underground world of ransom kidnappings. Why has this kind of organized crime become so prevalent? Who are the targets and how are they being targeted? How is it possible for syndicate to extort millions of Rands without leaving a trace? And what happens behind the scenes when high profile kidnappings take place?

    Here is why kidnapping for ransom cases have exploded in SA

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2022 32:47


    In today's episode of Boots on the ground: behind South Africa's national headlines, we dive into the secretive, underground world of ransom kidnappings. Why has this kind of organized crime become so prevalent? Who are the targets and how are they being targeted? How is it possible for syndicate to extort millions of Rands without leaving a trace? And what happens behind the scenes when high profile kidnappings take place? Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Why are SA's most deadly convicted criminals up for parole?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 26:08


    In this week's episode of Boots on the Ground: behind South Africa's national headlines, we focus on the Van Vuuren and Van Wyk judgments that paved the way for lifers to be eligible for parole after 12 years and four months of serving their life sentence. Parole for lifers has had devastating emotional impacts on the families of victims and communities.

    Why are SA's most deadly convicted criminals up for parole?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 26:08


    In this week's episode of Boots on the Ground: behind South Africa's national headlines, we focus on the Van Vuuren and Van Wyk judgments that paved the way for lifers to be eligible for parole after 12 years and four months of serving their life sentence. Parole for lifers has had devastating emotional impacts on the families of victims and communities. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    What is really going on with the parliament fire?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2022 28:53


    In today's episode of Boots on the Ground: behind South Africa's national headlines, we critically consider the information related to last week's parliament fire which held the country's attention for the first week of 2022. What does a raging fire at a strategic national key point mean? Is Zandile Mafe responsible? How could it be possible for anyone to slip into parliament undetected and cause this much destruction? And could it be linked to other strange happenings in SA?

    What is really going on with the parliament fire?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2022 28:53


    In today's episode of Boots on the Ground: behind South Africa's national headlines, we critically consider the information related to last week's parliament fire which held the country's attention for the first week of 2022. What does a raging fire at a strategic national key point mean? Is Zandile Mafe responsible? How could it be possible for anyone to slip into parliament undetected and cause this much destruction? And could it be linked to other strange happenings in SA? Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Hunting Ndlovu: the story behind the capture and prosecution of Rosemary Ndlovu

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 44:04


    Family, for most, is a concept that represents togetherness, love and — despite the occasional conflict — a bond that supersedes most. But recently convicted female serial killer and former police officer Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu saw her family more as a living pay cheque, ready to be harvested at will. Ndlovu was found guilty of the murder of five of her relatives and one of her lovers. She arranged the brutal murder of her lover, sister, cousin, niece and two nephews to cash in on life and funeral policies, and according to the investigating officer on her case, tried to cash in on more policies while behind bars. Today on Boots on the Ground: behind South Africa's national headlines, we get an opportunity to speak to investigators, prosecutors and journalists who had a very direct hand in bringing Ndlovu to justice. We will hear about the ins and outs of the investigation, including the efforts it took to keep the investigation from a fellow police officer and seasoned murderer. We will hear about the charges that are still pending, including those related to the murder of Ndlovu's own son. And finally we will dissect Ndlovu's court persona and how it shifted when media were allowed to cover her case. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Hunting Ndlovu: the story behind the capture and prosecution of Rosemary Ndlovu

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 44:04


    Family, for most, is a concept that represents togetherness, love and — despite the occasional conflict — a bond that supersedes most. But recently convicted female serial killer and former police officer Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu saw her family more as a living pay cheque, ready to be harvested at will. Ndlovu was found guilty of the murder of five of her relatives and one of her lovers. She arranged the brutal murder of her lover, sister, cousin, niece and two nephews to cash in on life and funeral policies, and according to the investigating officer on her case, tried to cash in on more policies while behind bars. Today on Boots on the Ground: behind South Africa's national headlines, we get an opportunity to speak to investigators, prosecutors and journalists who had a very direct hand in bringing Ndlovu to justice. We will hear about the ins and outs of the investigation, including the efforts it took to keep the investigation from a fellow police officer and seasoned murderer. We will hear about the charges that are still pending, including those related to the murder of Ndlovu's own son. And finally we will dissect Ndlovu's court persona and how it shifted when media were allowed to cover her case.

    Where is the international outrage for Lindani Myeni?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 41:06


    KwaZulu-Natal rugby player Lindani Myeni had been on the phone with his wife Lindsay. He had told his wife he would be home “soon”, but Lindsay and their two young children would never hear from him again. Myeni was shot by officers in Honolulu's police force while they were responding to a call about an alleged burglary in progress. He was outside and unarmed at the time of the shooting. Police shootings have been a hot issue in the US for many years. Research by renowned American news agency the Washington Post and the business data platform Statista indicate fatal police shootings in the US are increasing, with 292 civilians shot, 62 of them black, in the first four months of 2021. In 2020, there were 1,021 fatal police shootings. The rate of fatal police shootings among black Americans is much higher than that for any other ethnicity, standing at 36 fatal shootings per million of the population as of April 2021.However, there is little outrage for Myeni, or sympathy for his widow and children.

    Where is the international outrage for Lindani Myeni?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 41:06


    KwaZulu-Natal rugby player Lindani Myeni had been on the phone with his wife Lindsay. He had told his wife he would be home “soon”, but Lindsay and their two young children would never hear from him again. Myeni was shot by officers in Honolulu's police force while they were responding to a call about an alleged burglary in progress. He was outside and unarmed at the time of the shooting. Police shootings have been a hot issue in the US for many years. Research by renowned American news agency the Washington Post and the business data platform Statista indicate fatal police shootings in the US are increasing, with 292 civilians shot, 62 of them black, in the first four months of 2021. In 2020, there were 1,021 fatal police shootings. The rate of fatal police shootings among black Americans is much higher than that for any other ethnicity, standing at 36 fatal shootings per million of the population as of April 2021.However, there is little outrage for Myeni, or sympathy for his widow and children. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    The children orphaned by Covid-19

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 26:59


    Grace Rohan cannot understand why at seven years old she no longer has a daddy while her mother, who is in her 40s, still has hers.The grade 2 pupil from Durban and her 18-year-old brother, Daniel, are mourning their father, José, who died of Covid-19 in February, a month after he turned 51.About 1,600km away in Langa, Cape Town, Sindiswa Lugulwana, 70, asks God to grant her a long life. She cares for three orphaned grandchildren whose single-parent mothers - twin sisters Phumla and Phumeza - both died of Covid-19 in January at the age of 45.And in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, Dewald Badenhorst, 14, is mourning the death of his father and his stepmother, who died days apart in January. He is being cared for by his brother, Billy, 24.Today on Boot's on the Ground: behind South Africa's national headlines, we are going to listen to the stories of those who the pandemic has left orphaned. We are going to take a moment to remember the person they have lost and to mourn with them.

    The children orphaned by Covid-19

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 26:59


    Grace Rohan cannot understand why at seven years old she no longer has a daddy while her mother, who is in her 40s, still has hers.The grade 2 pupil from Durban and her 18-year-old brother, Daniel, are mourning their father, José, who died of Covid-19 in February, a month after he turned 51.About 1,600km away in Langa, Cape Town, Sindiswa Lugulwana, 70, asks God to grant her a long life. She cares for three orphaned grandchildren whose single-parent mothers - twin sisters Phumla and Phumeza - both died of Covid-19 in January at the age of 45.And in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, Dewald Badenhorst, 14, is mourning the death of his father and his stepmother, who died days apart in January. He is being cared for by his brother, Billy, 24.Today on Boot's on the Ground: behind South Africa's national headlines, we are going to listen to the stories of those who the pandemic has left orphaned. We are going to take a moment to remember the person they have lost and to mourn with them. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Raped and then raped again: an 11-year-old's horror story

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2021 15:57


    Somewhere in Burgersfort, Limpopo, there is an 11-year-old girl whose life will never be the same. She sits quietly on a bright red wooden bench beneath a tree, gripping her father's hand. Her parents fear she is on the verge of another epileptic fit. Since her second rape, the fits have intensified. As her father speaks about the family's anxious wait for her HIV results, the girl watches leaves blow across the dusty front yard of their home. She is seated just a stone's throw away from the outdoor toilet that served as the scene of her first assault.   In today's episode of Boots on the Ground: Behind South Africa's National Headlines, we are going to interrogate sexual assault and the scourge of gender-based violence in SA.

    Raped and then raped again: an 11-year-old's horror story

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2021 15:57


    Somewhere in Burgersfort, Limpopo, there is an 11-year-old girl whose life will never be the same. She sits quietly on a bright red wooden bench beneath a tree, gripping her father's hand. Her parents fear she is on the verge of another epileptic fit. Since her second rape, the fits have intensified. As her father speaks about the family's anxious wait for her HIV results, the girl watches leaves blow across the dusty front yard of their home. She is seated just a stone's throw away from the outdoor toilet that served as the scene of her first assault.   In today's episode of Boots on the Ground: Behind South Africa's National Headlines, we are going to interrogate sexual assault and the scourge of gender-based violence in SA. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    One year of Covid-19: Reflecting on SA's biggest moments

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 36:08


    Today marks exactly a year since the first Covid-19 case was confirmed in SA. Since that day there have been 1,517,666 confirmed cases and 50,462 Covid-19-related deaths countrywide. In this episode of Boots on the Ground: Behind SA's National Headlines, we relive some of the most memorable moments from the pandemic - moments we ought not to forget, as we continue to wage war against Covid-19.

    One year of Covid-19: Reflecting on SA's biggest moments

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 36:08


    Today marks exactly a year since the first Covid-19 case was confirmed in SA. Since that day there have been 1,517,666 confirmed cases and 50,462 Covid-19-related deaths countrywide. In this episode of Boots on the Ground: Behind SA's National Headlines, we relive some of the most memorable moments from the pandemic - moments we ought not to forget, as we continue to wage war against Covid-19. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Covid-19 is no hoax, people are dying to keep you safe

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 22:40


    South African front-line health-care staff have been tirelessly battling the Covid-19 pandemic since the country's first cases were recorded in March last year.  In the latest official figures,close to 47,000 South Africans have died as a direct result of the virus, and the actual death toll is estimated to be a lot higher.Every day South African paramedics, nurses, doctors and other front-line workers risk it all, in an attempt to save as many people as they can. In this episode of Boots on the Ground: Behind SA's National Headlines, we send one of our toughest videographers, Emile Bosch, behind the veil at Tembisa Hospital, where he is confronted with his worst fear: being isolated and alone in a Covid-19 ICU ward.

    Covid-19 is no hoax, people are dying to keep you safe

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 22:40


    South African front-line health-care staff have been tirelessly battling the Covid-19 pandemic since the country's first cases were recorded in March last year.  In the latest official figures,close to 47,000 South Africans have died as a direct result of the virus, and the actual death toll is estimated to be a lot higher.Every day South African paramedics, nurses, doctors and other front-line workers risk it all, in an attempt to save as many people as they can. In this episode of Boots on the Ground: Behind SA's National Headlines, we send one of our toughest videographers, Emile Bosch, behind the veil at Tembisa Hospital, where he is confronted with his worst fear: being isolated and alone in a Covid-19 ICU ward. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Murdered over a mine: the story of Fikile Ntshangase's assassination

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2020 22:22


    Six bullets. That's what it took to silence 65-year-old KwaZulu-Natal grandmother and anti-mine activist Fikile Ntshangase. Her crime? Standing firm in opposition to the expansion of a coal mine in her community. In today's episode of Boots on the Ground: Behind SA's National Headlines, we look into the assassination of uMama Ntshangase, an anti-mine activist from northern KwaZulu-Natal, and we consider the environment of intimidation in which she and other vocal anti-mine activists find themselves.

    Murdered over a mine: the story of Fikile Ntshangase's assassination

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2020 22:22


    Six bullets. That's what it took to silence 65-year-old KwaZulu-Natal grandmother and anti-mine activist Fikile Ntshangase. Her crime? Standing firm in opposition to the expansion of a coal mine in her community. In today's episode of Boots on the Ground: Behind SA's National Headlines, we look into the assassination of uMama Ntshangase, an anti-mine activist from northern KwaZulu-Natal, and we consider the environment of intimidation in which she and other vocal anti-mine activists find themselves. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Marikana | Justice delayed is justice denied

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 22:57


    When the ninth anniversary of the Marikana massacre comes, the trial of the police officers implicated in the murders of five people who were killed at the mine on August 13  2012 — three days before the massacre — will be nowhere near conclusion. This as the court case, which is being heard in the North West High Court, was postponed on Friday. Both the state and defence agreed to have the matter postponed to May 10 2021. When the case returns to court then, it will only sit for three weeks before being postponed again to July.

    Marikana | Justice delayed is justice denied

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 22:57


    When the ninth anniversary of the Marikana massacre comes, the trial of the police officers implicated in the murders of five people who were killed at the mine on August 13  2012 — three days before the massacre — will be nowhere near conclusion. This as the court case, which is being heard in the North West High Court, was postponed on Friday. Both the state and defence agreed to have the matter postponed to May 10 2021. When the case returns to court then, it will only sit for three weeks before being postponed again to July. Sunday Times · TimesLIVE

    Claim Boots on the ground

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel