Links between cops and criminals 'unrefutable' - Caryn Dolley, crime journalist

John Maytham is joined by Caryn Dolley, an award-winning investigative journalist with Daily Maverick and author of Clash of the Cartels.

Listen below:

Suggestions that there is significant entanglement between criminals and South African police officers are 'unrefutable'.

That's according to award-winning investigative journalist Caryn Dolley.

Her comments come just days after explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of corruption within the police service and police ministry.

Three committees are to jointly investigate the allegations that also involve Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

Dolley says such connections are deep-rooted.

"... there are so many levels to this, and as soon as you start unravelling one, you realise there's another..."

- Caryn Dolley, investigative journalist - Daily Maverick

Dolley says allegations of this nature are nothing new for South Africa.

"I genuinely hope that something proactive is done, as opposed to something reactive and faux shock."

- Caryn Dolley, investigative journalist - Daily Maverick

The difficulty, she says, is finding the truth amongst the claims.

"At the moment, we are looking at accusations and counter-accusations... smear campaigns."

 -Caryn Dolley, investigative journalist - Daily Maverick

Is it possible to root out corruption if so many police officers at all levels are involved, asks Maytham.

"... if what is truly happening is exposed from a city, provincial to a national level, and people understand what the real problem is, we can demand better."

 -Caryn Dolley, investigative journalist - Daily Maverick

Scroll up to listen to the full interview from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham.