“There’s something discomforting about watching a poacher arrested and handcuffed for selling crayfish on a KZN roadside. On the one hand, a threatened species in need of protection; on the other, a young man living each day from hand to mouth. Isn’t that the South African predicament? But the law remains the law, and a willingness to turn a blind eye to smaller indiscretions in part explains our capture by far more ambitious criminal cartels.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Poachers vs Patrols
It’s a trade fuelled by poverty, demand, and organised crime: along our coastal highways, protected crayfish are sold in full view beside golf balls and mangoes. But as law enforcement struggles to enforce permits, a volunteer-run task force enters the scene. From a pastor to a part-time treasure hunter, Carte Blanche meets the characters working alongside government to patrol besieged waterways, arrest poachers, and fight for the survival of threatened species.
Producer: Beth Neale | Presenter: Govan Whittles
Gun Shop Hijack?
Big promises. Then, missing payments. Firearms dealers sign contracts to sell their shops, but when they demand payment, the threats begin. Meanwhile, company ownership is quietly changed without their permission, weapons allegedly go missing, and a man allegedly facing multiple fraud charges claims he’s importing firearms. And this shadowy businessman is familiar to Carte Blanche… A story of backroom deals, alleged business hijacks, and weapons in the wrong hands.
Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli
Whale Song
It’s a haunting natural melody played by an extraordinary creature. And it’s at the heart of a surprising collaboration. For decades, human beings have recorded and studied whale songs, captivated and mystified by their beauty and complexity. And now one man is remixing their songs into chart-topping hits. Through shared song, can a connection be made between human beings and the deepest oceans?
Producer: Adventurefilming
STREAMING NOW
Poverty for Profit in Joburg
An estimated 5 million people live in informal settlements across the country, often in areas unfit fit for human habitation and lacking basic services. Now, government is trying to meet its constitutional obligation to provide water, sanitation and housing by spending billions on upgrades in these settlements. But who is really benefiting? Claire brings us the dark story behind just one upgrade project in Gauteng. Watch the full story now on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
SAHPRA Responds: A Trusted Source?
Last month, we broadcast an investigation into the manufacturing standards at a pharmaceutical plant east of Johannesburg. A whistleblower had provided us with photos, videos and documents of what he claimed were GMP – or Good Manufacturing Practice – violations. These included allegations of faulty extraction and conveyer belt systems, as well as footage of a brown substance leaking from the Air Handling Unit. The plant is owned by Adcock Ingram Healthcare, and the product allegedly impacted by the violations was Citro-Soda lemon flavour. Adcock Ingram denied all the allegations in writing, saying an internal audit found no evidence of systemic GMP non-compliance. They added that Citro-Soda is manufactured in dedicated facilities designed to control any risk of cross-contamination, the conveyer belts are inspected regularly, and the brown substance could be the result of specialised cleaning. Weeks later, the industry regulator (SAHPRA) made an important announcement. But they, too, had some questions to answer.
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