“I have a particular interest in this week’s gold coin exposé, having worked on a similar story a few years ago. I recall conducting a rather bizarre interview with a well-known gold coin seller and being utterly astonished at the contempt with which he viewed his customers. ‘If they’re not bright enough to spot a scam, that’s their problem’ seemed to be his message. I have a feeling Sunday’s insert will bring about a strong sense of déjà vu.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Private Security Alarm
Psychological evaluations, extreme red tape, unrealistic weapons controls… These are some of the new regulations private security companies face. That’s if proposed amendments to legislation governing the multi-billion rand industry are passed. Across South Africa, thousands of private security companies fill the holes left by a shrinking police force battling inefficiencies, corruption and lack of trust. Will the new regulations force them to downsize, pushing smaller companies out of business? And what does it mean for the safety of the South African public?
Producer: Nicky Troll | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
Coining It
Gold: in a tough economy, is it a safe investment or a tool for scammers? Clients of one well-known dealer say they’re learning the hard way that their assets are anything but secure. Customers allegedly wait months to receive the coins they’ve paid for, while a whistleblower claims the business is selling coins it doesn’t own, and charging for safe storage that doesn’t exist. Carte Blanche investigates.
Producer: Kate Barry | Presenter: Govan Whittles
World’s Fastest Teen
When he was eight years old, Bayanda Walaza wrote a letter to his hero Caster Semenya. But it wasn’t just fan mail: it was a message to his future self, the athlete that he had dreamed of becoming. And a decade later, Bayanda rocketed to stardom. The first South African to win an Olympic medal while still in high school, he’s stacking up international medals and national records and, at just 19 years old, he’s nowhere near his limit. We meet the sprinting prodigy with the world at his feet.
Producer: Julian Sun | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli
NOW STREAMING
Wanted: Dead
He was a notorious gangster, best known for extortion and drug dealing. So, it’s perhaps not a surprise that he died in a hail of police bullets on the outskirts of Butterworth in the Eastern Cape. But four private security guards died with him and their families insist they were innocent of any crime. Police claim they were returning fire from suspects carrying illegal weapons. Who’s telling the truth? During this in-depth investigation, we scrutinised video evidence and spoke to eyewitnesses who saw events unfold. Watch the full story now on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
Pigs in Pants
The Western Cape saw the highest provincial increase in murders last year, and stabbing is a leading cause of death. But forensic science knows surprisingly little about the effect of sharp force trauma on how a body decomposes. For investigators, knowing the time and cause of death can be crucial to identifying a victim and solving a crime. Erin joined these researchers to find out how they are pushing the boundaries of forensic knowledge. Full story available now on DStv Stream.
Jamming at Roller Derby
It’s an underground sport: fast, full-contact and sometimes brutal. Ordinary women don kneepads and gum guards, and take to the track to jam, block and do battle. Teachers, actuaries and moms by day – by night they go by alter egos with names worthy of an action movie! Masa strapped on some skates and entered the fray. Full story available now on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
NEWS & VIEWS
Liquid Gold: Spiking Clampdown
Petrol stations across South Africa could face shutdowns if caught selling adulterated diesel – this according to a warning from Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources. The committee, led by chairperson Mikateko Mahlaule, raised concerns over the rising number of retailers blending diesel with illuminating paraffin to cut costs and increase profits. This illegal practice not only damages vehicle engines but also exploits the tax gap, costing the country millions each day.
At least 70 fuel stations have already been identified for selling contaminated diesel, with some located in so-called hotspot provinces like Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is taking a firm stance, calling for those responsible to face criminal prosecution and immediate business closure. “We are not calling for the companies to be fined but for them to cease operating,” Mahlaule told the committee.
To curb the spread of diesel spiking, the DMRE is ramping up its random testing of fuel samples at fuel stations nationwide, prioritising areas where complaints and suspicious activity are highest. The department is also working closely with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and law enforcement in its clampdown efforts.
Illuminating paraffin, typically intended for domestic use, is significantly cheaper than diesel, creating a tempting but illegal opportunity for unscrupulous traders. However, the consequences for consumers can be severe, with vehicles potentially suffering long-term damage. The DMRE urges motorists to refuel only at trusted, well-established petrol stations and to remain vigilant.
In 2023, Carte Blanche spoke to a wholesale diesel distributor who openly admitted to spiking his product with paraffin. You can learn more about this practice below and also hear how this wholesaler tried to justify his illegal actions.
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