“I’m sure many Joburg residents will be relieved to see the mayor and his executive team pounding the streets in the less agreeable parts of the city, seeing first-hand the extent of its decline. Whether a short-lived marketing ploy or – ahem – a renewed commitment to good governance remains to be seen. Might I suggest our cynicism would be tempered were the mayor to include a visit to the city’s stores where millions of rands in unused stationery is gathering dust.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
High on Ink
What does R100 million worth of ink look like? In a warehouse holding stationery for the City of Johannesburg, printer cartridges pile up – but rarely leave. And as departments change printers without notice or outsource printing to contractors, the stock steadily expires. Meanwhile, the City claims it’s going paperless. It’s not just a waste: it’s a symptom of a much bigger problem. Carte Blanche goes undercover to expose chaotic procurement, non-existent asset management, and a serious lack of accountability – all in a cash-strapped city where money that could fix pipes and roads sits on the shelf.
Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein | Presenter: Masa Kekana
The Pet Pretender
He treats beloved pets, orders scheduled medicine, even offers sterilisations. But his credentials are anything but reliable. Now, he’s been caught on camera. This year, a self-proclaimed vet applied for a job at the SPCA, producing what appeared to be an official certificate. But a closer look revealed forged signatures and faked qualifications. And it doesn’t stop there. This vet-by-forgery has administered questionable remedies to sick animals, and it turns out that multiple fraud-related cases are pending against him. It’s time for him to answer some questions… So, we sit in on a job interview with the Pet Pretender.
Producer: Liz Fish | Presenter: Erin Bates
Gwala Ka Jan: A Pollsmoor Production
When a convict enters a prison in South Africa he is asked, “Gwala Ka Jan?” – lingo for “Who are you?” The answer will determine where he sleeps, with whom he associates, and where he sits in the prison hierarchy. But now, Gwala Ka Jan is also the title of a semi-autobiographical play developed by inmates of Pollsmoor Prison. It’s a South African first; a story about identity, rehabilitation, punishment, and the tension between physical incarceration and imaginative freedom. And, as men who have murdered and robbed master their stage fright, Carte Blanche goes backstage.
Producer: Marion Edmunds | Presenter: Masa Kekana
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