“I don’t know, man. I get that the cops look reasonably authentic, and the scam is more sophisticated than most. But emptying your account at their request on the strength of a WhatsApp call? My advice: if you’re ever called by an official from the ‘customs office’ in Bloem suggesting you’ve committed a crime, invite them to do their damnedest.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Scammers in Blue
Your phone rings. It’s a number you don’t recognise but the voice is confident, official. “You’ve been connected to a package containing contraband – do you know anything about this?” the voice asks. It’s the start of an elaborate act that unfolds over several hours, including video calls with supposed police officers in uniform sitting in what looks like a police station. Then follows conversations with so-called prosecutors who tell you you’re in big trouble. And finally, the hook: pay up and it all goes away. The perpetrators are fast, professional and near-invisible. We investigate a theatrical new scam.
Producer: Graham Coetzer | Presenter: Govan Whittles
The Last Cast
A popular and well-respected fisherman disappears at sea. His boat is found, torched and abandoned, on a remote Mozambican beach. A suspect slips through authorities’ fingers and goes on the run. It’s a story about a senseless murder, a known fugitive, and a broken system that has allowed a convicted fraudster to manipulate the law and skip parole – not once, but twice. Carte Blanche pieces together the mystery, traces the steps of an alleged murderer and asks: who will be held accountable?
Producers: Beth Neale & Miles Cloutier | Presenter: Lourensa Eckard
NOW STREAMING
Childcare Captured
It was founded over 100 years ago: a large, respected organisation contracted by the government to protect children from abuse and neglect. But CMR North stands accused of wielding the law against families – to the detriment of the children. Allegations of children being removed from their homes without consultation, with families left in the dark and desperate for contact with their children.
LifePod: Harvesting Hope
Right now, around 5000 South Africans are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. Many of them have been on the waiting list for years, victims of a painfully slow organ donation process. And that’s what inspired a group of fifth-year Stellenbosch medical students to step up. Not yet qualified, they’re pioneering a facility that promises to save up to a hundred lives every year.
The Gift of Life
Sadly, the need for life-saving organ transplants is increasing much quicker than the organs are becoming available. However, by becoming an organ donor you can possibly be the difference between life or death for someone else.
NEWS & VIEWS
UPDATE: The Fight for Citizenship
Earlier this year, Carte Blanche spoke to a number of expats who were stripped of their South African citizenship after having moved abroad. This week, the Constitutional Court ruled that this practice is unconstitutional and those who have lost their dual citizenship should have their South African citizenship reinstated. The judgment impacts roughly 2 million South Africans.
Saving the Vultures
It’s a vulnerable species but in Limpopo’s Blouberg Nature Reserve, the Cape vulture has found a home. High in the mountains, some 1400 breeding pairs nest on the cliffs and catching a glimpse means a difficult hike up challenging terrain. But that doesn’t dissuade some avid nature lovers from embarking on the sweltering trek. Carte Blanche dons a pair of khaki shorts and hardy boots to join the faithful in their pilgrimage to see the venerable vulture in its natural environment.
UPDATE: Art for Awakening
In January this year, we met Luc van der Walt – an artist dedicated to making his craft accessible for everyone. But it’s his work with young children from disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape that’s been having a real impact. Using recycled materials like discarded boxes and homemade charcoal, children are exposed to art like never before. Now, Luc’s passion has inspired others to get involved.
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