Black dust

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟮 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Willie Marais was once a steam train driver born opposite the railway station in Touws River in the Western Cape. Built in 1881, the station was the central hub of the community. Touws River was one of many thriving towns built around an extensive railway network. That all changed in the 1980s when any route deemed uneconomical was simply cut off. Entire communities were drained of their lifeblood, leaving thousands jobless, and the towns began to die. Today, these towns are sad remnants of their former glory, with most inhabitants surviving on state grants, and the tracks leading to these far-flung places are lined with derelict and abandoned sidings. While trucks thunder past, the people left in their dust cling to the hope that, somehow, their towns can be revived. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟭 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. Coal is a valuable commodity, untraceable and in high demand. In South Africa, thousands of coal trucks criss-cross the country, transporting it to lucrative export markets. But the stakes are even higher on the illicit market. Criminal syndicates target the coal industry, brazenly stealing thousands of tons from coal trucks. Their methods are evolving to feed the black market and evade seemingly ineffective law enforcement. In one of our biggest stings yet, the Carte Blanche team infiltrates the illegal black market to show you first-hand how stolen coal is traded. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟴 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. He’s a former rugby player, a trained pharmacist, and an alleged trader in black market codeine. Carte Blanche investigates this former athlete’s role in the illegal proliferation of a regulated drug found in cough syrup and pain killers that’s become popular with young addicts. It’s not the first time we’ve had him in our sights but, on this occasion, he found it impossible to sidestep our crew. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟵 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Traded on the black market, it’s highly lucrative. From diesel skimming to tanker hijackings and petrol depot robberies: over the years, Carte Blanche has investigated multiple criminal networks fuelling the illicit trade in what's known as liquid gold. But as old schemes are exposed, criminals evolve. Now fuel spiking – blending diesel with cheaper ingredients, often paraffin – has taken off on an industrial level. It’s a criminal MO affecting every South African and costing the country millions of every day.  After several months investigating these illicit operations, we uncover an elaborate cross-border tax fraud scheme.  Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv