“Tonight’s broadcast will be a seminal moment for our team. Months of investigation, weeks of legal wrangling and no shortage of frayed emotions later, we finally air one of the most significant stories we’ve produced on alleged medical malpractice. Our interviewees have harrowing stories to tell and the attempts at silencing them have been, frankly, shameful.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
The Surgeon
Early on a cold winter’s morning, in a stark hall in an undisclosed Johannesburg location, a group of strangers meets for the first time. They shuffle in, one by one. A young man who says he’s contemplating suicide, his life ruined by multiple complicated surgeries. A teenager, accompanied by his parents, who says he has been left with lifelong debilitating complications. A woman who lives with chronic pain thanks to a seemingly unnecessary operation. These strangers are here to share their stories of pain and suffering they allege at the hands of a doctor who connects them all. After months of in-depth investigation – during which we and our sources have been threatened with legal action – we are now able to reveal allegations of shocking misconduct by a Johannesburg surgeon. This specialist focuses on laparoscopic surgery: minimally invasive “keyhole” procedures that usually allow patients to go home within 24 hours. But the patients in our story allege that they spent hours in theatre, underwent numerous – sometimes unnecessary – surgeries and suffered serious complications that have left them physically damaged and emotionally traumatised. In this three-part special, Carte Blanche investigates an alleged pattern of medical malpractice and the suffering it has caused.
Producer: Mart-Marie Faure & Stenette Grosskopf | Research & Script: Laura Byrne | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST
Cry Our Beloved Women & Girls
Scorpions 2.0 is a go after years of delays… Then, the forgotten continent – mpox shows how Africa is often overlooked. Later, a win for South Africans as inflation hits a three-year low. And forget about free Willy. It’s free Charlie the Elephant! But first, as many South Africans struggle to come to terms with the murder of 16-year-old Deveney Nel, and the family of slain Pastry Princess, Thembekile Letlape, try and come to terms with her death at the hands of an alleged abusive boyfriend, we ask – once again – what needs to happen for women and girls in South Africa to be safe?
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Cash for Days
News that corruption at our borders is rampant is unlikely to surprise anyone – it’s something we’ve been covering for years.Our investigations have lifted the lid on how illicit cigarettes, stolen cars and bikes, and even people are smuggled in and out of the country. And, almost always, the criminality is facilitated by corrupt officials and border agents. Govan investigates how corruption at our border with Zimbabwe is allowing people on foreign passports to extend their stays in South Africa – often by years. It’s a scheme driven by long-distance bus drivers, their agents and co-opted border officials. It’s called “cash for days”.
Lethal Targets
It’s become increasingly common for powerful criminals to get rid of threats simply by hiring an assassin. And the trend seems to have spread. Political or business rivals and whistleblowers are no longer the only targets. From detectives to city officials, investigators in high-profile cases are coming under fire. Those who pull the trigger often remain in the shadows. But the consequences for the rule of law are all too clear. Here, investigating even non-violent crime can be a matter of life and death.
Full Story (age restricted)
Ozempic: Miracle Cure?
It was intended for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, but Ozempic has become the latest fad in the weight loss industry. The drug, which is a weekly injection that helps to lower blood sugar levels, has an unintended side effect: slowing digestion and encouraging people to eat less. Thousands of Ozempic users from around the world are calling it a weight loss miracle, having shed kilogrammes after just a few weeks on the drug. But as more people turn to Ozempic for weight loss, the drug is becoming harder to find, and diabetes patients are paying the price. Now some users are turning to the black market to purchase the drug.
Killings in Khayelitsha
In June this year, four-year-old Enzokuhle Dladlu was playing outside on the street in Khayelitsha when four gunmen entered a barbershop in her neighbourhood and opened fire. One man and three children were killed in the shooting: Enzokuhle was one of them. In Khayelitsha, these mass shootings have become tragically common as rival gangs force businesses and civilians alike to pay protection fees or risk being killed. In a new report, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime has identified four growing extortion economies in the province, including transport, construction and township economies. Carte Blanche examines how protection rackets in Khayelitsha are expanding their illicit business portfolio, targeting street vendors, spaza shops, and even churches.
STILL TO COME
Charlie the Elephant
A former circus performer who’s spent over 40 years in captivity: Pretoria Zoo’s most beloved elephant and a risky journey to freedom. Charlie the elephant has finally retired to his new home.
The Missing Mega City
A multi-billion rand mega city project funded by taxpayers, the inexperienced developer who scored the tender, and the sub-contractors who’ve been left in the lurch.
Prep School Bully?
In Pietermaritzburg, an all-boys school is at loggerheads with its headmaster. He says he’s a whistleblower with evidence against the school. They say he’s allegedly guilty of sexual harassment. We investigate what’s gone wrong at this flagship preparatory school.
The Newspaper Man
As the future of print media hangs in the balance, one veteran journalist in the heart of the Karoo hasn’t received the memo… We meet 92-year-old Oom Frans Hugo who’s still printing his newspapers.
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 / X: @carteblanchetv #CarteBlanche
Instagram: @carteblanchetv #CarteBlanche
Youtube: carteblancheTV #CarteBlanche
TikTok: @carteblanchetv101
Threads: carteblanchetv
