George : Sorry to disappoint you.
(1) Gold is, today, rather unimportant to the whole economy of South Africa. In fact, few mines even pay tax.
(2) Civil strife will have very little effect on the mines. To prevent this very circumstance, the labor force comes from many different parts and countries eg Malawi, Mozambique, Transkei, Zululand, Mpumalanga etc. Furthermore, the mines are not physically near where the unrest is likely to be, particularly in the Cape and Natal. All the same, things could heat up as the election approaches.
Re OPEC, I think the situation is getting desperate. If the US doesn't support a higher oil price there could be all kinds of trouble in the oil producing countries. Anyway, I'm sure the greatest beneficiary will be the US banks who advanced credit to the producing countries. Also remember, a few bucks increase in oil price translates to a much larger increase at the gas pump.
I don't see a conspiracy, as you imply, just good, old self-interest talking. IMO, these conspiracy theories give far to much credit to people who (a) don't know what's going on and (b) wouldn't know what to do even if they did!
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