“Spoiler alert: the crew producing one of this week’s stories almost got arrested for their troubles.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Vulture Rescue
Last month, crisis struck the Kruger National Park. Poachers laced an elephant carcass with toxic chemicals, poisoning hundreds of vultures. But in the wake of one of Southern Africa’s worst wildlife poisoning events, a collaboration of experts is creating a beacon of hope. A team of conservationists, vets, rangers and pilots mobilised to rescue the victims. With the help of specialised vulture ambulances and emergency treatments, they saved the lives of 83 birds. As poison poaching escalates, can high-tech collaborations protect vulnerable ecosystems and combat the growing ecological crisis?
Producer: Sinethemba Nogude | Presenter: Erin Bates
Phakisa Raceway
It was once the jewel of South African motorsport. But years of neglect, red tape and passing the buck have seen Welkom’s Phakisa Raceway fall silent. Now, there’s a grassroots movement rallying to bring it back to life. Through the eyes of riders, council officials and passionate locals, we revisit Phakisa’s rise and fall and ask: can Welkom be put back on the map?
Producer: Floris Kotze | Presenter: Xola Ntshinga
From Fired to Fired Up
As the Trump administration pushes forward with sweeping job cuts under the guise of government efficiency, thousands of American workers find themselves displaced – and increasingly defiant. In this foreign report, real-life consequences are leading to the rise of the “Indivisible Movement”. Featuring voices like Anita Wolfe, a dedicated public health worker suddenly suspended, and Kenchy Raglan, a passionate grassroots organiser, the story reveals how citizens are mobilising to hold their leaders accountable. With fiery support from figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, the movement stands as a powerful rebuttal to what critics call a government serving only the elite.
Producer: RTS
NOW STREAMING
Missing Mayoral Chains
Whether they’re symbols of high public office or relics of a colonial past, mayoral chains are worth a lot of money. And perhaps, unsurprisingly, they’re going missing. In municipalities across the country, these valuable assets are quietly disappearing and the explanations are far from satisfactory. So, we sent Masa to investigate the Great Chain Robbery. The full story is available now on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
Refugee Roulette
Between July 2024 and February 2025, nearly 30 Home Affairs officials were dismissed or arrested. The figure was announced amid much fanfare at the launch of the Department’s anti-corruption forum in March. But is Home Affairs clamping down where corruption is most rife? For months, our team has investigated a web of bribery and exploitation affecting asylum seekers at a busy Home Affairs office in Pretoria. Watch the full undercover investigation now on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
COMING SOON!
Death at Daybreak
It’s a story not suitable for sensitive viewers. In April, the NSPCA swooped in on a huge chicken farm to investigate complaints of animal cruelty. The horror they found was just one symptom of the implosion taking place at a multi-billion rand poultry business, wholly funded by government.
NEWS AND VIEWS
NPA in Crisis
As the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) suffers yet another legal blow – this time in the Free State asbestos case – we look back on an interview we did with NPA head Shamila Batohi in December of last year. At the time, amaBhungane’s Susan Comrie asked Batohi why the entity had failed to turn arrests into convictions – especially in various State Capture cases. “In my view these are not failings, yet. They are serious setbacks that we have properly interrogated and that we are learning from. But they’re not failures,” Batohi maintained.
Air Traffic Crisis
If you’re one of the roughly 2.5 million people who fly domestically in our country each year, you’ll be alarmed by this story. It’s about the management and staffing crisis at ATNS, the state-owned company that manages our air traffic. But this isn’t a controversy limited to the boardroom – according to some industry insiders, it impacts passenger safety. Get the full story now on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
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