RICA spy ruling skims deeper rot in surveillance practices When amaBhungane’s investigative journalist Sam Sole discovered that he was the subject of state surveillance, it wasn’t a shock. In Sole’s words, “amaBhungane works at the intersection between business, politics and crime”, where scandal is abundant. When amaBhungane took its case to The Constitutional Court, it was ruled that RICA is unconstitutional. The judgement stated that the Act violates the right to privacy, access to courts and the freedom of expression in the media. Sam Sole is most certainly not alone in being spied on by heavyweights with dangerous secrets. A small victory in the fight against illegal surveillance of private citizens is not enough, writes Jane Duncan on The Conversation. – Melani Nathan