Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 10 March 2024

“There’s a link between two of this Sunday’s stories, tenuous though it may be. Our lead investigates a crime wave engulfing the sleepy town of Despatch, likely being driven by gangs from the notorious Northern Areas of Gqeberha. And Despatch happens to be the birthplace of Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus. I doubt the town gets a mention in Chasing the Sun 2 – featured in the last of this week’s inserts – but it would be interesting to know if Rassie ever visits. And how he feels about what has become of his childhood home.” – John Webb, Executive Producer

People, Promises and Power

It’s been dubbed the most critical election in our history as the governing party’s hold on the electorate continues to slip. It’s a make-or-break poll for those in power and those jostling for it as changes to the ballot papers and the introduction of independent candidates come into effect. Voters will need to keep their wits about them as they gear up to make their mark. But what does the future hold for an electorate yearning for change? This Sunday, Carte Blanche examines the politics of promises and power as we build towards the highly anticipated national elections.

Producer: Nicky Troll | Presenters: Masa Kekana & Govan Whittles

Gangs of Gqeberha

In the town of Despatch in the Eastern Cape, residents sleep with one eye open. On most nights, brazen robbers wielding pangas and guns stalk their streets, breaking in and terrorising the community in their homes. But are these just opportunistic criminals or are they recruits from gangs entrenched in Gqeberha’s inner city? From drug dealing to gun smuggling, the biggest city in the Eastern Cape has long been wracked by criminal enterprises vying for turf. Now, similarly violent operators are making the rural outskirts their stronghold. As residents and private security companies fight back, Carte Blanche investigates why this community has become such an easy target.

Producer: Chuma Kave | Presenter: Govan Whittles

Behind the Badge

In a quiet office in Johannesburg, Captain Keshi Mabunda mulls over a docket. It’s a startling murder case: a woman who allegedly killed two of her relatives to collect multi-million rand payouts from their life insurance policies. This investigation is eerily similar to another case that Mabunda solved, and SAPS top brass have requested his assistance. In 2021, Mabunda was instrumental in the investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of notorious serial murderer, Rosemary Ndlovu. But even for a seasoned police officer, this is a dangerous job and the bodyguards who occasionally accompany him suggest that Mabunda’s life is on the line. Carte Blanche meets the man behind the badge.

Producer: Busisiwe Gumede-Chizhanje | Presenter: Claire Mawisa

Road to Glory

It was the impossible dream. The Springboks were tasked with bringing home back-to-back Rugby World Cups: a feat achieved by only one other team in history. From a sport defined by its past, and a country defined by its differences, comes the story of a team that chose to believe in something more. Chasing the Sun 2 is a powerful SuperSport documentary made in collaboration with the Springboks and it tells the rousing tale of their path to their fourth World Cup victory.

Producer: Sinethemba Nogude | Presenter: Govan Whittles

CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST

Buddies, Bots and Breakthroughs

Cadre deployment: what does it mean, who’s benefiting and is the DA really in a position to complain? Arrests at last! A massive breakthrough in the AKA murder case gives us hope. Then, AI saves the day as SARS uses tech to take back taxes. And the fight against HIV and AIDS gets a massive boost as a game-changing pilot project goes live.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Water shedding: Paying for Air

Joburg residents are fed up. Crippling water outages and massive water bills mean they’re paying for a service they often don’t receive. Now, new evidence reveals how some households are quite literally paying for air.

Full Story

Shipping Shambles

The disruption in world trade triggered by war in the Middle East has created a golden opportunity for South Africa to boost its own flagging economy, as cargo ships are sent around the Cape of Good Hope. So, why is this an opportunity the country is missing out on?