Bleeding Trees: Tracking Illegal Loggers in Namibia
10/10/23 • 33 min
John Grobler’s Namibian holiday led him on an unexpected journey tailing trucks and loggers to expose the interests behind illegal logging, a lucrative and illegal business making millions for Chinese companies and local elites.
In this episode Nick Wallis traces OCCRP’s investigation into who is killing the last of Namibia’s protected rosewood trees. We also hear from OCCRP journalist Khadija Sharife on how the tragic destruction of these prized forests fits into the wider looting of Africa’s natural resources.
Finally, sustainability expert Dr. Clemens von Doderer analyzes the causes of Namibia’s illegal logging and what needs to be done to put an end to deforestation.
Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa.
Read the investigations:
- Felling Namibia’s Ancient Giants
- ‘They Are Finishing the Trees’: Chinese Companies and Namibian Elites Make Millions Illegally Logging the Last Rosewoods
This week’s guests
- John Grobler - @JohnGrblr
- Khadija Sharife - @khadijasharife
- Dr. Clemens von Doderer
Transcript
- Read the transcript on the OCCRP website here
More information on OCCRP
- Keep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption at OCCRP and sign up for our weekly newsletter.
- Follow on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to get the latest updates.
- Support investigative journalism in the public interest. Donate to OCCRP.
[00:00] Introduction
[02:33] Khadija explains why she commissioned an investigation into Namibian rosewood
[05:18] John gives a crash course on Namibia
[06:20] Why Chinese demand for rosewood trees is increasing
[08:03] Why and how John began investigating rosewood logging
[13:38] An explainer on CITES and why it’s important for threatened species
[16:13] How Namibia’s political and legal system fuels illegal logging
[18:55] What it’s like to take on a government as a lone journalist
[20:25] Can the redwoods be saved?
[24:33] Dr Clemens von Doderer explains the causes of illegal logging in Namibia
[27:26] How can illegal logging be stopped?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
John Grobler’s Namibian holiday led him on an unexpected journey tailing trucks and loggers to expose the interests behind illegal logging, a lucrative and illegal business making millions for Chinese companies and local elites.
In this episode Nick Wallis traces OCCRP’s investigation into who is killing the last of Namibia’s protected rosewood trees. We also hear from OCCRP journalist Khadija Sharife on how the tragic destruction of these prized forests fits into the wider looting of Africa’s natural resources.
Finally, sustainability expert Dr. Clemens von Doderer analyzes the causes of Namibia’s illegal logging and what needs to be done to put an end to deforestation.
Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa.
Read the investigations:
- Felling Namibia’s Ancient Giants
- ‘They Are Finishing the Trees’: Chinese Companies and Namibian Elites Make Millions Illegally Logging the Last Rosewoods
This week’s guests
- John Grobler - @JohnGrblr
- Khadija Sharife - @khadijasharife
- Dr. Clemens von Doderer
Transcript
- Read the transcript on the OCCRP website here
More information on OCCRP
- Keep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption at OCCRP and sign up for our weekly newsletter.
- Follow on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to get the latest updates.
- Support investigative journalism in the public interest. Donate to OCCRP.
[00:00] Introduction
[02:33] Khadija explains why she commissioned an investigation into Namibian rosewood
[05:18] John gives a crash course on Namibia
[06:20] Why Chinese demand for rosewood trees is increasing
[08:03] Why and how John began investigating rosewood logging
[13:38] An explainer on CITES and why it’s important for threatened species
[16:13] How Namibia’s political and legal system fuels illegal logging
[18:55] What it’s like to take on a government as a lone journalist
[20:25] Can the redwoods be saved?
[24:33] Dr Clemens von Doderer explains the causes of illegal logging in Namibia
[27:26] How can illegal logging be stopped?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
The Beirut Blast
How do you begin to investigate the explosion that tore through the Lebanese capital city of Beirut, killing more than 200 people?
In this episode Nick Wallis takes us back to August 2020, talking to Rana Sabbagh and Aubrey Belford about how OCCRP reporters activated the global network to unravel the opaque web of secrecy behind the cause of the explosion, scouring the globe from Russia to Mozambique to track down the true owner of the deadly cargo that triggered the devastating blast in Lebanon’s capital.
We also hear from Paul Najjar, who lived and worked less than a kilometer from the blast site at Beirut port. Paul and Tracy’s three-year-old daughter died as a result of injuries sustained in the explosion.
Dirty Deeds a Little Gem production for the OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa.
Read the investigations:
- A Hidden Tycoon, African Explosives, and a Loan from a Notorious Bank: Questionable Connections Surround Beirut Explosion Shipment
- Ownership of Chemicals that Exploded at Beirut Port Traces Back to Ukraine
This week’s guests:
- Rana Sabbagh - @rana_sabbagh
- Aubrey Belford - @AubreyBelford
- Paul Naggear
Transcript
- Read the transcript on the OCCRP website here.
More information on OCCRP
- Keep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption at OCCRP and sign up for our weekly newsletter.
- Follow on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to get the latest updates.
- Support investigative journalism in the public interest. Donate to OCCRP.
[00:00] Introduction
[01:21] Paul Naggear recounts the day of the explosion
[10:53] Rana Sabbagh explains background and how the investigation began
[16:57] Aubrey Belford explains why he volunteered to join the investigation
[20:28] Rana describes the difficulties of reporting in the blast’s aftermath
[24:03] Background on Lebanese politics
[25:26] How reporters uncovered the opaque network of companies linked to the deadly cargo
[30:32] Rana and Aubrey describe the impact of the investigation in Lebanon and the UK
[32:38] Paul describes his campaign for justice
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Exposing a Former Czech PM’s Offshore Finances
Pavla Holcová was greeted with an avalanche of threats when she woke up one morning. Her country’s former prime minister had publicly accused her of being a paid agent to undermine his re-election campaign.
In this episode you’ll hear about the dangers OCCRP’s investigative journalists face when trying to get to the truth, the horrific abuse they face and how the OCCRP helps to protect them and their sources.
Host Nick Wallis talks with Pavla and fellow OCCRP editor Pete Jones about how an investigation exposing ex-Czech PM Andrej Babiš’ undeclared overseas property deals led to a very public attack by the politician and media mogul. Pavla recounts her encounters with Babiš — and what kept her going in the face of horrific abuse from his supporters.
We also hear from Prague-based journalist Will Nattrass on why Babiš is seen as a threat to press freedom, corruption in the Czech Republic, and where the country’s politics could head in the future.
Dirty Deeds is a Little Gem production for OCCRP. The host is Nick Wallis. The producer is Lindsay Riley at Rethink Audio, with research from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Riham Moussa.
Read the investigation:
This week’s guests:
- Pavla Holcová - @pafak
- Pete Jones - @PSJones01
- Will Nattrass
Transcript:
- Read the transcript on the OCCRP website here
More information on OCCRP:
- Keep up with the latest in global organized crime and corruption with our weekly newsletter
- Donate
[00:00] Introduction
[02:23] Pavla Holcová and Pete Jones explain how their investigation into Andrej Babiš began
[06:45] Pavla describes a public confrontation with Babiš
[08:03] Pavla describes how Babiš targeted her on social media and what consequences she suffered
[15:18] What kept Pavla going despite abuse from Babiš and his supporters
[18:03] Pete explains what makes OCCRP distinct as a news organization
[23:51] How OCCRP journalists prepare for and respond to threats
[26:08] The consequence of the article for Babiš
[27:11] Will Nattrass on Babiš, corruption and the direction of Czech politics
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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