This week, we meet the South African gangs stealing copper to survive. When the journalist Monica Mark moved to Johannesburg, she noticed that copper theft was causing disruptions across the country: power went out, trains were cancelled, and her neighbourhood Whatsapp group was livid. She wanted to find out who was behind it. So she tracked down a man who used to be in a copper gang. His story is a unique look at South Africa's current struggles with high unemployment, vast inequality and a global market willing to turn a blind eye for profit.

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Links:

– Monica’s magazine piece: https://on.ft.com/43gop8N

– Follow Monica on Twitter @nickswicks

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Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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The gangs risking their lives for copper in South Africa

Life and Art from FT Weekend

The gangs risking their lives for copper in South Africa