BOOK REVIEW: Caryn Dolley: The unbearable weight of the untouchables

The Untouchables is a gripping and terrifying exposé of the intertwined worlds of organized crime, drug trafficking, corrupt institutions, and political power in South Africa, particularly in Cape Town. Caryn Dolley, a renowned crime reporter and historian, has spent years immersed in this treacherous landscape, making her uniquely qualified to document its dark underbelly.

Dolley's book meticulously maps the connections between international drug traffickers, Cape Town gangsters, rogue intelligence operatives, police officers, government officials, businesspeople, and politicians. She reveals how these figures are not only complicit but often deeply embedded within each other's worlds, making their actions difficult to separate and expose.

As a criminologist and historian, Dolley understands the risks she takes by venturing into this dangerous territory. South Africa, and Cape Town in particular, is an extremely volatile place where murders occur with alarming frequency, and those responsible often remain hidden behind layers of protection. Dolley's firsthand experience and extensive research make her the finest and bravest crime reporter working in South Africa today.

One of Dolley's central observations is that the "underworld" in South Africa is not confined to a specific location or set of individuals. Instead, it operates seamlessly alongside and within legitimate business, policing, politics, and everyday life. She argues that criminality has become intertwined with the fabric of society, and we only notice its presence when violence upends the illusion of normalcy.

Throughout the book, Dolley follows a trail of seemingly unrelated cases, including a murdered gangster, a fugitive Serbian assassin, an intercepted shipment in Australia, a corrupt firearms license, a politically connected businessman, and an Indian drug trafficker. She patiently follows the threads until the full scope of the web becomes apparent.

Her writing style is reminiscent of a detective's case file or a prosecutor's docket, as she weaves together names, dates, allegations, denials, and court records to paint a comprehensive picture of the criminal networks she has uncovered.

One of the most notable aspects of Dolley's investigation is her tracking of KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi's explosive allegations claim that a drug-trafficking cartel known as the Big Five has infiltrated South Africa's criminal justice system, politics, and private security. Among those implicated by Mkhwanazi are former police minister Senzo Mchunu, who denies any wrongdoing.

Dolley's careful examination of these allegations and their implications reveals a pattern that aligns precisely with her broader observations about the interconnectedness of the criminal world.

While The Untouchables can be overwhelming in its complexity, with a vast cast of characters and a convoluted timeline, this complexity is essential to the narrative. The criminal networks Dolley exposes are deliberately opaque, fragmented, and layered, making them difficult to dismantle. By intentionally maintaining a level of confusion, she protects these powerful criminals from accountability.

Despite the book's density, Dolley's writing is both analytical and insightful. Her meticulous attention to detail, combined with her background as a journalist, allows her to uncover the truth behind the layers of deception. She skillfully navigates the complexities of the case, recording denials and highlighting contradictions, while carefully distinguishing between what is known, what is alleged, and what can be proven.