{"id":20752,"date":"2023-12-08T11:31:19","date_gmt":"2023-12-08T09:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=20752"},"modified":"2023-12-08T11:31:21","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T09:31:21","slug":"coming-up-on-carte-blanche-10-december-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2023\/12\/08\/coming-up-on-carte-blanche-10-december-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 10 December 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cWe\u2019re living in dangerous times. Just a week after we reported on an alleged torture and death squad operating within the SANDF, we investigate allegations of political meddling, profiteering and gross mismanagement at PetroSA. With the emergence of a Russian connection in another potentially questionable deal, one wonders what revelations and controversies lie in store.\u201d <\/em>~ John Webb, Executive Producer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=zWRzNh9vjLM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

PetroSA\u2019s Dirty Business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

State-owned company PetroSA used to produce diesel and other fuels from gas at its refinery in Mossel Bay. But in 2020, it ran out of gas… and money. Two decades of woeful investments, scandals, absence of governance, and profligacy had rendered the company bankrupt. But Minerals and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, has refused to let it fail. He has big plans for PetroSA\u2019s revival into a new petroleum company with the sole shareholding vested in his office. Meanwhile, inside the boardroom of PetroSA, all is not well as the chairman makes headlines. He reportedly wants the CEO\u2019s position, but a string of misconduct findings against him may scupper his plans. As details of questionable tender processes emerge, Carte Blanche investigates an institution operating behind a veil of secrecy not even parliament seems able to penetrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Joy Summers | Presenter: Masa Kekana<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=Mix8WkcV-aA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rape Extortion Racket<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In eMqhekezweni, a small village in the Eastern Cape, women are on edge. Once the second home of former President Nelson Mandela, it was known for its close-knit community living in relative tranquillity. But now it\u2019s plagued by a sinister balaclava-clad gang running a ruthless extortion racket targeting women. At dusk, men arrive on horseback to terrorise the villagers, demanding that young girls and women of all ages pay them a protection fee or risk being raped. Most in the village are poor, unable to pay their tormentors. Yet help from the police is kilometres away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Sipha Kema | Presenter: Govan Whittles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=ikL8GqRgXEY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Miracle Baby<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Matteo Botha shouldn\u2019t be alive today… When he was just 18 months old, an ordinary evening at home ended in an emergency visit to hospital. Matteo needed surgery to have a large portion of his bowel removed. But this was just the beginning of his ordeal. Matteo\u2019s heart stopped on the operating table, an unusual outcome that baffled his medical team. They resuscitated him \u2013 but then his heart stopped again… and again. Within 24 hours of being rushed to the emergency department, the little boy\u2019s heart had stopped 12 times. His doctors warned that he was severely brain damaged, but his parents refused to give up. Now, more than a year later, Matteo is a thriving baby boy making a remarkable neurological recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Liz Fish | Presenter: Erin Bates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We Made It!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s Dezemba and it’s been a whopper of a year overflowing with news events that left us stunned, surprised, infuriated, despondent, and inspired. We look back on some of the major newsmakers that had an impact on us and the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n