“It’s been a challenging few weeks for our country. Many of us will feel more than a little discomforted by the notion that the rule of law has almost entirely disintegrated. But just when you thought you’d heard it all, we introduce you to an undertaker accused of burying the departed in unmarked graves and handing to the families ashes of unknown origin that may or may not be human. Eish!” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Engineers Set Free
After two harrowing years imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea, two South African engineers are finally back home. Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter were arrested in February 2023 in an apparent political tit-for-tat after South African courts seized a super yacht and two high-end Cape Town properties belonging to the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea. The men were convicted on trumped-up drug charges and sentenced to twelve years in a high-security jail – for a crime they didn’t commit. But their families never stopped calling for their release… and finally, the men were pardoned by the President of Equatorial Guinea. It’s a story of anguish, uncertainty – and unwavering hope.
Producer: Annalise Lubbe | Presenter: Erin Bates
Buried Lies
Families in mourning receive shocking news: the remains they’ve received are not their loved ones. Are these the ashes of a stranger, or something else entirely? And where are the bodies buried? A year ago, a dozen grieving families were alerted to an alleged funeral services scam involving faked documents, mystery ashes – and a burial in a paupers’ grave. But a year later, city officials are no longer taking their calls. As families remain in painful limbo, unable to exhume their relatives or even mark their final resting places, Carte Blanche asks: who is responsible? And how can these families find closure?
Producer: Liz Fish | Presenter: Erin Bates
Small Town: Philippolis
When the Great Karoo through road was built between Johannesburg and Cape Town in the 1970s, it bypassed the Free State’s oldest settlement town. No tourist trap, no motels, no job bonanza for locals. Three petrol stations dwindled to one. Buildings and farms were abandoned. But the omission has turned out to be a blessing in disguise… This little dorp has retained its old-world charm, mingled with an air of benevolent neglect. Philippolis has always attracted interesting characters and today it’s a popular semigration location. From a pianist of international repute who plays the church organ each Sunday, to a entrepreneurial beekeeper, and a jail that once housed prisoners of war. There’s plenty to discover in this small town.
Producer: Diana Lucas | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
NOW STREAMING
Prescription for Addiction
Worldwide, over half a million people die from drug overuse every year – 80% of those deaths are related to opioids, highly addictive drugs like heroin and morphine. While heroin and nyaope are illegal, morphine and related drugs like codeine are medicines commonly used to treat pain. And here, like the rest of the world, the abuse of prescription opioids is rising. To residents and doctors in Benoni east of Johannesburg, the addiction problem is painfully clear. It’s a working-class town where money is tight, and a trip to the doctor might be more than many can afford. Could that be why so many are turning a blind eye to medical professionals selling addictive medication without a prescription? We staked out the local pharmacies and clinics to find out. Watch the full investigation now on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
Keys to Nowhere
State-of-the-art eco-conscious living, slick designs and affordable prices. That’s what this brand-new development near Johannesburg promised. The developers even offered financing assistance to clients who’d been blacklisted. So, it’s no wonder that it attracted dozens of first-time buyers eager to invest. But when the charismatic developers stopped answering calls, their clients began to worry. Our crew headed to Midrand to track down these would-be property moguls. Full story available now on DStv Stream.
COMING SOON
Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu
Last week, President Ramaphosa addressed the nation on a matter of national security. This after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi dropped bombshell allegations about political interference in crime investigations. Speaking in Pretoria, the President announced the launch of a commission of inquiry to investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement and the judiciary by criminal syndicates. In the meantime, Police Minister Mchunu has been put on leave. It’s another unfolding story, and we’ll be bringing you in-depth investigations and analysis in future shows. But for now, here’s a look at the man behind the outcry.
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