Black spots in general (5)

I believe the answer is:

smuts

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'black spots' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both states of affairs as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for smuts that I've seen before include "South African field marshal and premier" , "Specks of soot - South African statesman, d. 1950" , "signs of pollution" , "In South Africa general" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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