‘Made in Emirates’… Or made in SA? Whistleblower Exposes Armoured Vehicle Scandal

Loading player...
A major whistleblower leak has revealed that armoured vehicles sold across Africa under a flashy “Made in Emirates” badge were in fact designed in South Africa and built by South African staff. According to documents obtained by Open Secrets, the UAE-based factory relied on expertise and exported parts from Cape Town’s Integrated Convoy Protection (ICP). Whether these exports were legally authorised is now the subject of a police investigation, made more urgent by the UAE’s controversial involvement in conflict zones such as Sudan. The exposé comes after ICP secured a three-week High Court gag order to silence the story an order that has now lapsed. Phemelo speaks to Michael Marchant, Head of Investigations at Open Secrets, on what this explosive dossier reveals.
2 Dec 2025 3PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

Internationals: US Independence Day and tensions in Iran

From celebrations marking US Independence Day to the latest developments involving Iran, major international events continue to shape the global agenda. Phemelo speaks to global affairs specialist and Senior Fellow at the Montreal Institute of Global Security, Dr Terence McNamee, for analysis of the key stories and what they could…
6 Jul 3PM 17 min

ConCourt ruling marks major win for affordable housing in Cape Town

A landmark Constitutional Court judgment has ordered the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government to prioritise affordable housing in well-located inner-city areas, calling it a constitutional duty to reverse apartheid-era spatial inequality. The ruling ends a nearly decade-long legal battle over the Tafelberg School site and could…
6 Jul 3PM 6 min

Joburg refuse backlog grows as Pikitup faces debt and labour woes

Overflowing bins and missed collections are frustrating Johannesburg residents as Pikitup grapples with mounting debt and labour unrest. The entity has confirmed it owes contractors and suppliers more than R1.3 billion, with over 70 businesses still awaiting payment. So, what's causing the delays, and when can residents expect refuse collection…
6 Jul 3PM 10 min

SANEF clears Sefara, but he will not return as chair

The South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) has cleared former chairperson Makhudu Sefara of wrongdoing following an independent inquiry into his links to a National Lotteries Commission grant. Despite the outcome, SANEF says Sefara will not return to the organisation's top leadership position. The inquiry followed his decision to step…
6 Jul 2PM 9 min

State of SITA report exposes governance failures and irregular spending

A new investigation into the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has uncovered serious governance failures, weak financial controls and more than R2 billion in irregular expenditure over four audited years. Speaking in Pretoria, Solly Malatsi said the failures have delayed critical ICT projects, forcing departments such as Home Affairs, Police…
6 Jul 2PM 17 min