Fallen Rose: First Love

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. He was a young man looking for an exciting rendezvous on the dating app, Grindr. But within minutes of meeting his love match, he knew something was horribly wrong. What followed was a terrifying ordeal of beatings, torment, and robbery from which he escaped alive but with deep psychological scars. What’s more, he’s not the only victim: In a worrying trend, opportunistic criminals are using online dating apps to “catfish”, blackmail and rob people whose only desire is to find love or a fleeting romance. Many of those who’ve fallen victim to these crimes say they’ve received little support from the police, and the app developers are refusing responsibility. In a special two-part report, 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. 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 𝟮 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Earlier this month, Carte Blanche investigated a multi-million rand Ponzi scheme that involved purchasing luxury vehicles without ever paying a loan instalment. The wheels eventually came off in spectacular fashion. Then, days after our broadcast, viewers sent us stories of how they had fallen victim to a more complex but similar scam. We investigate an intricate “ride to own” scheme which had some motorists owning multiple vehicles that they weren’t paying for and never took possession of. Now, the banks are owed more than R500 million and numerous vehicles have gone missing – stripped and resold for parts by a shady dealership. The Hawks are investigating but for the so-called victims, it’s time to pay up. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. It has resonated across South Africa for years: the 2014 murder of Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa in his girlfriend’s house in Vosloorus. This week, the pathologist who examined Meyiwa’s lifeless body detailed the last moments of the popular soccer player’s life. But the shooting didn’t just end Meyiwa’s life: it forever changed the life of another young man from the community. Days after the brutal killing, police rounded up Zamo Mbatha, the first suspect in Meyiwa’s murder. Mbatha was detained for two weeks before the court abruptly ordered his release; police did not have enough evidence to link him to the case. But it was too late for Mbatha. With many still believing that he was Meyiwa’s killer, his life was altered. Ten years later, as five other men stand trial for Meyiwa’s murder, Mbatha’s multi-million rand lawsuit against the police has come to a standstill. Carte Blanche examines how his wrongful arrest as the first suspect shattered his world. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv