Carte Blanche

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟰 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. It’s a saga we’ve followed for years – a doctor in Cape Town once masquerading as a gynaecologist, to the detriment of his patients. Prior to our investigation, he had a chequered history, facing claims of professional misconduct and medical negligence. But it was our story in January 2020 – a follow-up to an earlier probe into his conduct - that laid bare the impact of his actions. This week a long-standing case of medical misconduct against him was finally concluded. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. It was described as an audacious prison break: the charred remains of an unidentified man lay in the now-infamous cell 35 at the G4S private prison in Mangaung while the man dubbed the “Facebook Rapist” made his escape. In a morbid ruse, his alleged accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana, later claimed the deceased as her customary law husband, Thabo Bester. Eleven months later and Bester, Magudumana and numerous alleged co-conspirators are behind bars. But while police tracked the two fugitives all the way to Tanzania, focus shifted to identifying the body left behind in cell 35. Now identified as Katlego Bereng, a man well-known to one of the accused, details of his brutal murder have shocked his family, leaving them with more questions than answers. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. There are 7000 languages spoken around the world. But every year, at least 25 of those disappear, never to be spoken again. In South Africa, the ancient N|uu language is on the brink of extinction. But one woman is determined to preserve this heritage. Ouma Katrina Esau is the last surviving, fluent speaker of N|uu: a rich San language once widely spoken in villages across the Northern Cape. Now, the 90-year-old Ouma Katrina is determined to save the language and leave behind a cultural inheritance for future generations. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. The ANC’s political allegiance to its Cold War friend, Russia, is causing a political rumpus as a potential visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin forces the South African government to make tough choices. This includes whether it leaves the International Criminal Court (ICC) which may reset its already-damaged global reputation for the worse. The ICC has issued a warrant of arrest for Putin for the kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children during the conflict between the neighbours. As South Africa is a signatory to the Rome Statute – which underpins the ICC – it would be obliged to arrest Putin if he comes to South Africa for the BRICS summit in August. The Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde says he will get his unarmed Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers to arrest Putin if he strays into the Western Cape, a province under the political control of the opposition. While this throws up the spectacle of the absurd, it has set the cat further among the pigeons, sending the government into a legal huddle as it tries to work out what to do next. Is this political hot potato just one more milestone in South Africa’s slow drift to isolationism, compounded by greylisting, industrial-scale corruption, and clumsy foreign policy? Carte Blanche examines the consequences of pandering to Putin. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast is one of the most pristine locations in South Africa. Home to a tourist favourite - the Hole in the Wall, also affectionately known as “izi Khaleni” or “the place of thunder” - it should be teeming with visitors. But few are brave enough to tackle the treacherous pothole-ridden 75-kilometre stretch of tarred road to get there. It’s just one example of the shocking state of many roads around the country; deep ditches and craters left unattended for so long, there’s often little trace of tar. It’s a symptom of the mismanagement and decline in service delivery plaguing municipalities across the country. Carte Blanche drives through three provinces in search of some of the country’s worst roads. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟰 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Johannesburg is the economic hub of Gauteng. It’s a cosmopolitan metropolis that boasts the tallest building in the country; a symbol of wealth towering above Africa’s richest square mile. It should be the envy of every municipality. But poor service delivery, corruption and gross mismanagement have turned the City of Gold into neglected decay. And its troubles don’t end there… While Joburg falls into a state of disrepair, the elected political elite – entrusted with the care of the city – have been squabbling for power, leaving the municipality rudderless. Now, there’s a new, new sheriff in town – the third mayor in just the last five months. A man with virtually no digital footprint or discernible experience in running a multi-billion-rand municipal budget, Kabelo Gwamanda seems wholly out of his depth. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Late-April, Carte Blanche laid bare Jonathan Constable's many alleged dodgy schemes: from masquerading as a property expert to claiming he's an international immigration consultant, and everything in between. Jonathan Constable had left his alleged victims outraged and out of pocket, but this week he's feeling the heat. After over a year on the run, and with nowhere left to hide, the fake pilot comes crashing down to earth – quite literally. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Teaching children to read is fundamental to their future success. But for a country already battling massive youth unemployment and an adult literacy crisis, it’s emerged that close to 80 per cent of grade 4 learners cannot read with understanding in any of the eleven official languages. Government was warned of the crisis and, in 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to prioritise reading through a National Reading Plan. But, through exclusive access, Carte Blanche shows how Department of Education documents reveal a plan in disarray, continuing to fail our children. Despite this, education officials continue to proclaim the National Reading Plan a success. Carte Blanche investigates. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. It's a story that left many of our viewers livid... Zuko Nonxuba painted himself as a brilliant litigation lawyer and a champion for the people. He'd go into underprivileged communities and offer to help families of children with disabilities. But in many cases, he simply pocketed the money and left them with nothing. Following our investigation, some of you stepped forward to help the children featured in our story. Proof that truth really does bring change. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

This story originally aired on 23 April 2023. Dating apps have become very popular for singles looking for love or hook-ups. But for some users, instead of falling in love, they’ve fallen prey to unscrupulous and violent criminals exploiting dating apps for nefarious gain. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. A young man is assaulted at a house party in Bantry Bay, Cape Town – an attack captured on CCTV. He sustains a skull and nose fracture, permanent brain damage and hearing loss. His life forever altered, he’s left with a rare condition in which noise leaks painfully through his brain. But that was just the beginning of his harrowing ordeal. Two-and-a-half years after the attack, and despite having a prime suspect, police and the National Prosecuting Authority have yet to act against the alleged perpetrator – a wealthy young man from a well-known family. Armed with the critical video footage, the victim wants justice. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. An alleged scamster with a tenuous relationship with reality: a bogus pilot, bogus Iraq war veteran, and bogus immigration expert. Yes, there’s no end to the roles on Jonathan Constable’s CV for which he is suitably unqualified. In fact, the only thing at which this Jack of All Trades truly excels is taking people for a financial ride. It’s alleged he’s hijacked buildings, weaponised the police to settle scores, and posed as a Home Affairs official to dupe desperate refugees out of tens of thousands of rands. This is a story Mr Contestable appears desperate to conceal but, despite his efforts to duck accountability, Carte Blanche will do what Carte Blanche does. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭. Bracing themselves for the disruption and frustration of loadshedding, South Africans are increasingly exploring off-the-grid alternatives. Whether it’s making life and business more sustainable, citizens are entering a future set for more of the same, according to the experts. Carte Blanche investigates a cautionary tale of solutions promised but not delivered as one solar service provider banks on the desperation of his clients and seems to get away with one excuse after the next. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟵 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟳. It’s a global obsession and controversial debate: what is the optimal diet required for human beings? How often and how much should we eat? Some say three meals a day are ideal, others say six smaller meals are better. One school of thought that’s seemingly gaining traction says the answer is far simpler. Carte Blanche asks: are human beings biologically programmed to thrive on only a single meal a day? Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟲. Carte Blanche follows up on its explosive investigation into how state-owned power utility Eskom awarded a controversial coal supply contract to a Gupta-linked company. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟱 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟱. Eight years and R2.5 billion later, Port Elizabeth’s (Gqeberha) elaborate Integrated Transport Plan is stagnant. The idea was that buses and minibuses, bought for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to ferry tourists, would later be used in the city’s transport network. Now, all the city has to show for the billions spent are a few vandalised taxis and buses baking in the sun in municipal parking lots. Who’s been milking the coffers? Carte Blanche investigates. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭. When you meet Ntando Mahlangu, a young unassuming man with an infectious laugh, you’d be forgiven for not knowing that he is in fact a double Paralympic gold medallist with a new world record in long jump to his name. And he’s in good company because alongside Anrune Weyers and Pieter du Preez, they proudly represented Team SA at the Paralympic Games and brought home the gold. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟳. It’s dubbed the biggest breakthrough since the first heart transplant in South Africa. A mystery of 20 years of intensive research has been cracked by a team of scientists at UCT medical school. They’ve identified the killer gene linked to cardiac arrest in young adults. Carte Blanche meets the scientists behind this medical discovery. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟳 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭. It was a shocking and disturbing conflict as the poster child for climate change was forced to forage for food far away from home. Carte Blanche tracks the journey of a documentary team in Greenland caught up in a dramatic clash with a hungry polar bear that forced open a window and tried to drag one of their colleagues outside. Rarely seen on this stretch of coast in the short arctic summer, the sea ice is now retreating so fast that several bears remain stranded on the mainland, separated from the seals that are their normal prey. Despite their majestic form and hunting prowess, polar bears have long been up against pollution and habitat destruction from oil and gas exploration in the arctic. But it is climate change that’s bringing it to its knees. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟳 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭. Living with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum comes with gifts and trials that the world is fast learning to appreciate as neurodiversity becomes better understood across the globe. For South Africans on the spectrum, detection and management have lagged and children most often struggle with limitations in the support they need to thrive. Carte Blanche follows the path of 19-year-old Dylan Kritzinger from primary school to matric – a young man who loves drama and animals and is set on becoming a game ranger. When doctors diagnosed him with autism 10 years ago, his mother was led to believe that he would never be able to tie his own shoelaces nor utter a full sentence. But with the support of family, teachers and friends, Dylan recently matriculated – another steppingstone on the way to realising his dreams. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv