Crime Watch 2.0

Hey @DienHombe, let’s cut through the noise on this one. Yusuf Abramjee taking cash from BAT to go after Gold Leaf Tobacco isn’t just a South African tobacco war—it’s a glaring red flag about journalistic integrity. When journalists start pocketing money to push a narrative, even if they claim it’s for the “greater good,” they’re not reporting facts; they’re playing puppet for the highest bidder. This isn’t about helping the nation—it’s about manipulating public opinion to serve corporate interests, and it stinks worse than a carton of stale cigarettes. Abramjee’s history shows he’s been deep in this game, from his campaign (which, surprise, was bankrolled by big tobacco players like BAT through TISA) to his defamation spat with Gold Leaf, where he accused them of tax evasion and illicit trade. Gold Leaf sued him, and though they lost their bid to gag him in 2019, the whole saga reeks of bias. If a journalist is on the payroll of a company like BAT, they’re not a journalist—they’re a propagandist. And yeah, they should absolutely be held accountable. Public sentiment isn’t a toy to be toyed with for profit, and businesses like Gold Leaf, whether they’re saints or sinners, deserve a fair shake, not a paid smear campaign. The bigger issue here is the precedent. If journalists can get away with this under the guise of “public interest,” what stops them from taking cash to sway elections, tank competitors, or push any agenda with enough zeros attached? It’s a slippery slope to a world where truth is just a commodity. Call it out, drag it into the light, and let’s stop pretending this is anything but what it is: a betrayal of trust. What do you think—should there be stricter codes, or do we just name and shame until they clean up their act?

Warnings about new CCTV law Johannesburg wants to impose a by-law that will make it unlawful for residents to share footage of crimes or criminal suspects on social media, community police forums, or neighbourhood watch groups. mybroadband.co.za/news/security/…