“Like our viewers, the rogue lawyer fleecing the families of children with special needs filled me with rage. That level of depravity is difficult to fathom. Then, not a day later, the story’s producer is contacted by people wanting to help. And I’m reminded of why we tell the difficult stories and why we dare not stop.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Hook-up Hijinx
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.
Producers: Latashia Naidoo & Hein Kaiser | Presenter: Bongani Bingwa
Behind the Visor
It’s one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. With an army of foot soldiers given their marching orders by a computer algorithm, the food delivery sector provides a quick and reliable service to hungry middle-class customers. But for the hundreds of delivery riders, it’s a dangerous job offering very little reward. From irate clients to violent hijackings and deadly collisions, many are now so terrified they work in pairs, escorting each other on their deliveries. In this ruthless and unregulated business, riders are falling prey to the country’s criminal networks.
Producer: Chuma Kave | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli
Knockout
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.
Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
Pilot Project
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.
Producer: Harri Vithi | Presenter: Derek Watts
The Good Samaritans
In early April, Carte Blanche investigated an Eastern Cape lawyer who claimed to be helping children with disabilities access millions of rands in compensation from the State, only to abscond with money that was rightfully theirs. As a result, children living with cerebral palsy and their vulnerable mothers were denied a chance at a different life. Within hours of the broadcast, good Samaritans offered to help the children featured in our programme, providing wheelchairs and critical medical support. A testament that truth certainly brings change.
Producer: Tarryn Crossman | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST
Going Postal? We Don’t Blame You…
From his dramatic escape to his rearrest to all-out confrontations in parliament – convicted murderer and rapist, Thabo Bester dominated the headlines this past week. Carte Blanche’s Masa Kekana and Daily Maverick’s Janet Heard also look at the impact of infrastructure vandalism, and is the South African Post Office on its last legs?
Coalition Course
It’s a classic marriage of convenience; political parties with very little in common forced into a coalition government. As the scraps for power and positions intensify, can SA’s biggest metros survive the collapse of good governance?
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Thabo Bester: Red Notice
The plan was meticulous: an unidentified body, a blazing fire, and prison officials who were paid to look the other way… Convicted murderer Thabo Bester almost got away with the most daring prison break in South Africa, until GroundUp’s investigative journalists caught on.
Update: Fort Hare Arrests
In January this year, we reported on the sinister criminal network that had taken root at Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape. Our story exposed the extent of the rot, including how those standing up to extensive corruption within the institution were being intimidated and even killed. Recently, the fightback being led by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, received a major boost.
Stealing From the Disabled
His clients were mostly children with disabilities who had legitimate medical negligence cases against the Health Department. But instead of helping them get their multi-million rand pay-outs, he stole their money.
JOIN THE #CARTEBLANCHE CONVERSATION
Please note: Carte Blanche line-ups are subject to change. Stories can be viewed at www.carteblanche.co.za
Facebook: Carte Blanche #CarteBlanche
Twitter: @carteblanchetv #CarteBlanche
Instagram: @carteblanchetv #CarteBlanche
Youtube: carteblancheTV #CarteBlanche
TikTok: @carteblanchetv101
