Defend Truth
Caryn Dolley
What I cover
I write about how South Africa fits into the global criminal landscape, how gangsters appear to have infiltrated aspects of the private sector and how politics, rogue intelligence and state corruption are infused in these noxious arenas. I’ve reported extensively on how state complicity in crime can produce – and fuel – street-level violence, including murder. I’ve dipped into environmental crimes, including plant poaching. I effectively emphasise how organised crime saturates our everyday lives. I’m drawn to stories that involve connecting the dots between countries and characters. These are often stories that not many journalists in South Africa follow.
My background
I’ve worked in several newsrooms in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg for online and print. Aside from Daily Maverick, these includes the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism and News24. I’ve had four non-fiction books published: Man Alone: Mandela’s top cop – exposing South Africa’s ceaseless sabotage (Maverick 451, 2024), Clash of the Cartels: Unmasking the global drug kingpins stalking South Africa (Maverick 451, 2022), To the Wolves: How traitor cops crafted South Africa’s underworld (Maverick 451, 2021) – which debuted at number one on the South African non-fiction bestseller list – and The Enforcers: Inside Cape Town’s deadly nightclub battles. Trying to see life from the perspective of others makes me a better journalist, I hope. That and having covered crime in South Africa’s gangsterism capital for roughly two decades.
Journalistic ethics
I focus on facts and expand from there. I always keep in mind that we’re not just reporting on issues that impact our lives, but mostly writing about others’ lives – this is a serious responsibility.
