Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 15 March 2020

Sunday 15 March 2020 at 19:00, only on M-Net

MONEY MATTERS

Counting the Costs of COVID-19

Now declared a global pandemic, the coronavirus is having a major impact on international financial markets. Uncertainty and fear of a worldwide recession sent stock markets spiraling down to new record lows. In South Africa, a trillion Rands in value was effectively wiped off the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in a single day, while US stocks fell 7% on Tuesday this week, forcing the US government to announce new economic measures to shore up the economy and lessen the impact of the virus. In Europe the Bank of England and the European Central Bank have both slashed interest rates in a in a desperate move to protect the UK and EU member states from the potentially catastrophic effect of COVID-19.

Producer: Eugene Botha | Presenter: Derek Watts

I N V E S T I G A T I V E > E X P O S É

Meerkats Uncovered

Cute as babies, but terrors when full-grown – meerkats are wild animals and keeping them as pets, without a permit, is illegal. This hasn’t stopped some South Africans from getting them on the black market. Carte Blanche goes undercover to expose a pet trader who is buying and selling meerkats to eager buyers, keeping this illegal trade flourishing.

Producer: Stenette Grosskopf | Researcher: Laura Byrne | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli

Watch the trailer

Forensic Nurses in Limbo

A forensic nurse in every health facility by March 2020 – that was one of the remedies President Cyril Ramaphosa set out in his Emergency Action Plan, responding to last year’s nationwide protests against increased sexual violence. These specialised nurses can collect physical evidence, counsel rape victims and testify in court to put rapists behind bars – but only if they are duly accredited. Carte Blanche investigates why the president’s promises are far from being realised and confronts the South African Nursing Council on its failure to accredit forensic nurses.

Producer: Mosibudi Ratlebjane | Presenter: Claire Mawisa

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Masa Kekana: “Without whistle blowers, sources and the work of investigative journalists, much of what we know today about the Arms Deal, State capture and Gupta Leaks wouldn’t be possible. But when there’s evidence that certain members of state security have abused the seemingly flawed RICA legislation to spy on some of these journalists, we should all be concerned.”

RICA: Privacy Under Attack?

The RICA legislation regulates the intercepting of communication – which a court has to order – to allow the state to listen in on the conversations of suspected criminals. Otherwise, two people talking on the phone have the right to privacy. So what happens when the government uses this legislation to spy on journalists? Carte Blanche retraces the events that have unfolded all the way to the Constitutional Court when investigative journalist Sam Sole found proof that he too was being spied on.

Producer: Julian Sun | Presenter: Masa Kekana

Watch the trailer

Line-ups are subject to change. Stories can be viewed at www.carteblanche.co.za.

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By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb