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

Caryn Dolley's The Unbearable Weight of the Untouchables has ignited a firestorm of controversy within South African society, particularly in Cape Town, where the intersection of organized crime and political power has reached unprecedented levels. The book, which meticulously traces the tangled web of illicit activities involving drug trafficking, corruption, and state complicity, has drawn sharp criticism from those implicated in its revelations. According to a review published by Daily Maverick, the work is described as “explosive,” exposing deep-seated links between criminal networks and influential figures across multiple sectors. These include international drug traffickers, local gangsters, rogue intelligence agents, law enforcement personnel, government officials, business leaders, and politicians. The implications of these connections have left many feeling vulnerable, as the lines between legality and illegality blur dangerously. Dolley, a respected criminologist and historian, has built her career on uncovering the hidden realities of South Africa’s criminal underworld. Her previous works, such as Gang Town, have established her as a leading voice in the field. In The Unbearable Weight of the Untouchables, she delves deeper than ever before, documenting her personal experiences navigating the treacherous terrain of Cape Town’s criminal scene. She recounts being followed, observed, and even photographed during her investigations, all while maintaining the belief that the dangers she faces are real and persistent. Her detailed accounts of surveillance and intimidation underscore the high stakes of her reporting. One of the book’s central figures is Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the former KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner whose public allegations about a drug-trafficking cartel infiltrating South Africa’s institutions sparked widespread attention. Mkhwanazi accused senior officials, including then police minister Senzo Mchunu, of involvement in a network he called the “Big Five.” This group, according to Mkhwanazi, operates with impunity, manipulating legal systems and leveraging political connections to shield itself from accountability. Dolley’s investigation aligns with these claims, offering further evidence that the structures of power and crime are deeply entwined. The narrative unfolds as a complex mosaic of interconnected incidents, murdered gangsters, intercepted shipments, corrupt licenses, and politically linked individuals, all seemingly disconnected yet ultimately revealing a broader pattern. Dolley’s ability to trace these disparate elements into a coherent whole highlights both her investigative prowess and the systemic nature of the issues she explores. Her insistence that criminality is “blended into legal activity and our everyday lives” challenges conventional perceptions of organized crime, suggesting that it is not confined to the margins of society but rather embedded within its very fabric. The book also reflects on the psychological toll of such exposure. Dolley admits to feeling constantly watched, with the sense that her work is being scrutinized from multiple angles. This paranoia is not merely a literary device but a lived experience, underscoring the risks she takes in pursuing the truth. Her meticulous documentation of names, meetings, and events reveals a mind attuned to detail, capable of piecing together information over years before recognizing its significance. As the story progresses, Dolley’s findings intersect with Mkhwanazi’s allegations, bringing her research to the forefront of national discourse. While Mkhwanazi’s claims remain unproven, they resonate with the patterns Dolley has identified, lending credence to the possibility of a larger conspiracy. The book ends with a clear warning: the structures of power and crime in South Africa are not easily dismantled, and those who challenge them face severe consequences. The final pages emphasize the urgency of addressing these issues before they escalate beyond control.