“There’s an interesting moment in our Rivers for Sale insert where a man accused of illegally selling water disputes the notion of government having ownership of our natural resources. In his words, ‘Water belongs to the Almighty’. I suspect it’s a view that might resonate with some people, one that goes some way to explaining how our country’s criminally inclined are able to sleep at night.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Rivers for Sale
A thirsty city. An underground trade. Water worth more than gold. In Gqeberha, when municipal supplies run low, illegal tankers move in, draining hundreds of thousands of litres from a system already strained by drought. As desperate residents pay for delivery, one question remains: where does the water come from? Carte Blanche exposes a brazen black market of illegal boreholes and siphoned municipal water. Guided by an insider, we trace the illicit journey of Gqeberha’s water to ask: in a city battling for every drop, who is really in control?
Producer: Anina Peens | Presenter: Govan Whittles
Gone Without a Trace
In the remote reaches of KwaZulu-Natal, chilling disappearances have reignited fears about so-called muthi murders. Last September, a British tourist vanished near the town of Mkuze, leaving behind nothing but a map. And she’s not the only one. Amid allegations of police inaction and justice stalled, a darker theory is taking hold: that the missing people may have been targeted for body parts. Traditional healer organisations insist the practice has no place in legitimate cultural practices; authorities urge caution… But in communities where fear lingers, questions are growing louder. Are these isolated tragedies, or signs of something more organised and sinister?
Producer: Catherine Rice | Presenter: Masa Kekana
Manna from an Invasive Tree
A pest choking our drylands is being transformed into jobs, hope – and a caffeine-free drink. The mesquite: introduced over a century ago to provide livestock feed in drought. It’s spread uncontrollably, covering millions of hectares, draining precious water, and costing millions to eradicate. But in one Karoo town, a pest is being turned into income, dignity, and survival. Seasonal harvesters sell gathered seedpods to an entrepreneur with a big idea: Africa’s only mesquite coffee, now exported internationally. Can commercialising an invasive species realistically curb its expansion, or does it risk worsening the problem?
Producer: Annalise Lubbe | Presenter: Erin Bates
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