The journo who brought down Bheki

(Image extracted from the Penguin website)

For years, award-winning journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika fielded requests to pen his fascinating life story. This year, he finally answered that call with the release of Nothing Left to Steal.

In it, he details one of the biggest political takedowns in the country - the fall from grace of former police commissioner Bheki Cele.

The book also provides a glimpse into the unforgiving world of investigative journalism.

For all his successes, Wa Afrika has a surprisingly simple approach to finding stories and chasing down scoops: leave the comfort of your car and hop into a taxi to listen in on the masses' mutterings.

Learn to listen to the people

"Hearing what people have to say about what you have written and listening in on the latest goings-on in the community are some of the best ways to get story leads," he said.

This strategy has paid dividends for Wa Afrika, who has amassed an impressive list of awards and accolades in a career spanning more than two decades.

But scaling the heights of investigative journalism nearly cost Wa Afrika his freedom. The journalist was arrested in August 2010, an event that made headlines around the country and globe and earned him quasi- celebrity status.

Falsely arrested

Bheki Cele. (Image: GCIS)

He recounts this disturbing episode in the book and sheds new light on the political shenanigans that led to his false arrest.

"You know, I am a private person and prefer to go about my business quietly. Before my arrest, no one knew what Mzilikazi looked like and I am not in my line of work for fame," he said.

"People kept asking me about my life story and journalism career.

"In December 2012, I decided to start work on the book. It took 15 months but I made my deadline, which was in May this year," he said.

There is no room for cowards in investigative journalism and one must be prepared to face the consequences of exposing hard truths. And encountering jaw-dropping information was part of the deal, he said.

Despite exposing the unsavoury aspects of South Africa, home is where Wa Afrika's heart is - he has turned down Uncle Sam's enticing offer of honorary citizenship in the state of Nebraska.

In between chasing down leads, Wa Afrika is writing his second book, a novel based on real-life events.

Source: The Herald, via I-Net Bridge