News24 The Lead

Who is Andre Pienaar, the ‘low-level’ spook badmouthing SA in DC?

Loading player...
Welcome to the 100th episode of The Lead on News24, hosted by broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer. First, we’ll reflect on the moment with our proud editor-in-chief, Adriaan Basson. Then, in our top story: from Johann Rupert to the DA, we are aware of the most notable South African figures who’ve visited the White House to consult with the Trump Administration amid souring Pretoria-Washington ties. But today we’re going to tell you a bit more about a more obscure businessman named Andre Pienaar whose high-profile dealings in the States have attracted a defamation lawsuit, lodged against him by a top US executive. Stay tuned for our 100th episode discussion with specialist journalist, Carol Paton. Later in the show, the alarm’s raised on stolen Namibian firearms being smuggled to Cape gangs. Finally, we end off with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday, now at 18:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
8 Sep English South Africa News · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

Mogotsi, Matlala and the ‘Big Five’ criminal cartel

It is already week three of the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria, and we have witnessed some damning allegations of the criminal capture of the country’s justice system. The rot in the police is so bad that the senior men and women in blue have a name for the criminal syndicate…
30 Sep 42 min

Is SA the next Mexico or Brazil when it comes to contract killings? 

There are some signs that South Africa is heading down the Latin American route, following the recent assassinations of some key societal figures. From Babita Deokaran to Bouwer van Niekerk, global crime experts warn that the targeting of whistleblowers, prosecutors, activists, and even journalists weakens the very foundation of democracy…
29 Sep 33 min

Police chief Masemola claims Mchunu, Sibiya shielded criminals

On day five of the Madlanga Commission sitting in Pretoria: South Africa’s police chief, Fannie Masemola, has alleged that his now-suspended deputy, Shadrack Sibiya, the now-suspended police minister, Senzo Mchunu, the mysterious associate Brown Mogotsi and the incarcerated tender don, Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala all, in turn, schemed to get rid…
23 Sep 26 min

Masemola reveals deputy Sibiya probed for alleged criminal syndicate links

It’s been day four of the Madlanga Commission with our second witness on the stand: national police commissioner Fannie Masemola, who’s since insisted that the decision to disband the contentious Political Killings Task Team was “unlawful”. That’s not all: Masemola told the commission in Pretoria on Monday that he received…
22 Sep 27 min

Mkhwanazi tells Madlanga about Mogotsi’s ‘unfettered’ SAPS access

Friday marks day three of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into allegations of criminal capture of the country’s criminal justice system. Evidence of WhatsApp conversations between KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and an apparent associate and friend of now suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu has offered South Africans a…
19 Sep 28 min
All episodes