Correctional Services in Crisis: Jailed Gangsters Run Criminal Networks from the Safety of Their Cells
It’s not only SAPS that’s in crisis. Correctional Services is also facing its own major dilemma: that criminal networks have turned South Africa’s jails into their branch offices. This has emerged after a week of surprise prison raids in the Pretoria area recently, in which its clear that a lot of crime in the outside world is being masterminded from behind bars.
Zambia Persecutes Legacy Cannabis Growers Instead of Adapting its Legalization Law to Their Needs
Cannabis production is technically legal in Zambia but the prohibitive licensing regime makes legalization an expensive exercise for traditional growers. A recent clampdown by authorities has sparked fresh calls for a new approach to mainstreaming farmers with Zambia’s Harm Reduction Network calling for authorities to bridge the gap between law enforcement and economic opportunity.
Harambe: ‘Private Clubs Are Here to Stay, Even When Commercial Trade in Cannabis is Allowed’
Do private cannabis clubs (PCC’s) have a role in a regulatory framework that allows for commercial trade? Most definitely, say Harambe Solutions founders founders Brett Pollack and Marleen Theunissen (pictured here). They have been grappling with the issues surrounding PCC’s and are convinced they will play an even more important role in the future. Here they take an existential deep dive into the club zone in this Q&A with Cannabiz Africa publisher, Brett Hilton- Barber.
Chatsworth Community Mobilizes Against Cannabis ‘Grey Zone’ Operators
Community leaders in Chatsworth, KwaZulu Natal, are urging authorities to take action against the proliferation of illegal cannabis stores, highlighting concerns about public safety and the impact on local youth. They said outlets are “freely selling” cannabis products close to schools and religious organisations.
Time Over for Half Measures and Confused Cops, Just Legalize Private Clubs
South African cannabis policy ambitions are undermined by its incompatibility with existing laws. This is creating confusion for law enforcement and risk for legitimate entrepreneurs, and nowhere is this more evident than in the legal status of private clubs. Legal strategist Charl Botha (pictured here) has written to the DTIC pointing out that the writes that the club model is already there, it just needs to be implemented. This is an excerpt from the letter sent on 17 July 2025.
Private Cannabis Clubs Are a Harms Reduction Tool in Regulating Responsible Adult Use, Why Can’t Govt See This?
Government needs to move urgently to deal with the legal ambiguity surrounding private cannabis clubs. That’s according to cannabis advocate Simi Pillay-van Graan, who writes that the concept is a valuable cannabis harms reduction tool, if only Government could see it that way.
DTIC Values SA Cannabis Industry at Only R14 Billion; Has No Plan Yet to Regulate ‘Grey Zone’
Just how much money is the South African cannabis industry worth? DTIC Minister Parks Tau says it’s R14 million, the Cannabis Master Plan says R28 billion, but neither of these appear to take into account the cannabis retail grey zone which may be generating up to R250 million a month!
Gauteng Unlocks Funding for Black-Owned Cannabis Agroprocessing Businesses
Black-owned cannabis agroprocessing businesses are eligible for funding under a new R100 million blended finance scheme launched recently by the Gauteng Government’s Agriculture Department and the National Empowerment Fund. The fund is aimed at boosting Gauteng’s economy, particularly in the food sector, so hemp processors take note!
Ghana Seeks Cannabis Policy and Control Assistance from Morocco
Morocco and Ghana have begun the first tentative steps to developing a collaborative relationship around cannabis. Ghana’sl Narcotic Control Commission (NACOC) officials paid a courtesy visit to the Moroccan ambassador in Accra, Ghana to open up a communications channel to share policy and experiences in cannabis legalization.
Contradiction in Proposed Cannabis Laws Reveals Constitutional Faultline
Government officials are working hard to bring two pieces of contradictory cannabis legislation into being. The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act specifically forbids commercial trade while a new law is being drafted that will allow it. Adv Simi Pillay-van Graan (pictured here) points out that this is not a technical oversight, it’s a constitutional faultline that needs to be addressed.