{"id":23872,"date":"2025-07-25T13:46:56","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T11:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=23872"},"modified":"2025-07-25T13:46:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T11:46:59","slug":"coming-up-on-carte-blanche-27-july-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2025\/07\/25\/coming-up-on-carte-blanche-27-july-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming Up On Carte Blanche &#8211; 27 July 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>\u201cOn Monday, a judge in the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruled in our favour in a case we consider precedent-setting. It was an attempt by a KZN cardiologist to prevent us from broadcasting an investigation into serious allegations against him. The court found not only that we be allowed to tell the story, but that the seriousness of the subject matter compels us to do so. It\u2019s a reminder that, with a few exceptions, the judiciary continues to serve as a bulwark against those attempting to bully us into silence.\u201d <strong>&#8211; John Webb, Executive Producer<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/PQgVM-W1AUg\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">One Man, One Mission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s one of the biggest shake-ups in the history of the South African Police Service (SAPS). Early this month, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt. Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi took aim at South Africa\u2019s criminal elite \u2013 and the country held its breath. Mkhwanazi claimed that politicians and top officials have sabotaged the work of an elite investigative unit to protect their own interests in organised crime. As President Cyril Ramaphosa promised a judicial commission of enquiry and put the police minister on a leave of absence, critics raged at the apparent lack of urgency. We explore the allegations, connect the dots, and dig past the spin to reveal the rot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Producer: Graham Coetzer | Presenter: Erin Bates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-twitter\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Who better than Carte Blanche to deal with this complex national problem? I am one of the people interviewed, and we consider some of the conflict implications and strategies that shape this polycrisis. Join us on Sunday\u2615\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jhvmqtisc4\">https:\/\/t.co\/jhvmqtisc4<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Andre Vlok (@vlok_andre) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/vlok_andre\/status\/1948410305748353162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 24, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FROM THE ARCHIVES: KZN Police Fightback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In KwaZulu-Natal, shootouts between police and gun-wielding criminals are becoming the norm. Between January and September 2024, close to 100 criminal suspects have been killed by police in running gun battles. KZN isn\u2019t the province with the highest or even the second-highest levels of violent crime in the country, but its police are becoming notorious for \u201cfighting fire with fire\u201d. At the centre of it all is the province\u2019s top brass, led by the provincial Police Commissioner Lt. Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi who insists that police are at war with criminals intent on bloodshed. But is this approach justified? In a wide-ranging interview, <em><strong>Carte Blanche <\/strong><\/em>sits down with Mkhwanazi to ask the hard questions around the emergence of a police force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=K3qcKNaFE88\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=K3qcKNaFE88\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trailer<\/a> (age restricted)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/saeel57YRTI\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dr Stent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An elite endurance runner, a spear fisherman, and a motoring enthusiast: they had no history of heart trouble \u2013 until they encountered a doctor who seemed a little too eager to intervene. Reports abound of patients with apparently healthy hearts who go into his practice, only to wake up with stents in their arteries \u2013 stents that they allegedly do not need. Now, those patients risk developing the very heart disease the doctor claimed to be repairing. It&#8217;s a story the good doctor hoped would never see the light. <em><strong>Carte<\/strong> <strong>Blanche <\/strong><\/em>investigates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Producer: Mart-Marie Faure | Presenter: Claire Mawisa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-twitter\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A massive win for media freedom! Join <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CarteBlanche?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CarteBlanche<\/a> this Sunday at 7pm on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MNet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@MNet<\/a> channel 101 as we finally bring you our investigation into a doctor alleged to be performing unnecessary, life-altering procedures on patients&#39;\u00a0hearts. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4APxKqYJsy\">https:\/\/t.co\/4APxKqYJsy<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Carte Blanche (@carteblanchetv) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/carteblanchetv\/status\/1947617579834740882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 22, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-twitter\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A very good start to the week for <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/carteblanchetv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@carteblanchetv<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MNet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@MNet<\/a> on Monday and not so much for the medical professionals it has investigated. <br><br>On Monday morning, the BCCSA found in favour of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/carteblanchetv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@carteblanchetv<\/a> in a complaint brought by Dr Soraya Patel 1\/<\/p>&mdash; Dario Milo (@Dariomilo) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Dariomilo\/status\/1948113135681839410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-twitter\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Then Mon afternoon, judge Jikela of Pietermaritzburg High Court dismissed an interdict application by Dr Duze against a story <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/carteblanchetv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@carteblanchetv<\/a> will be broadcasting &#8211; \u201cprovision of health care is inherently a public function and the applicant \u2026. occupies a position of trust\u201d 3\/<\/p>&mdash; Dario Milo (@Dariomilo) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Dariomilo\/status\/1948113143257080245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/zbz1gWCS7RI\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Saving Senekal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Five years ago, it made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The murder of a young farmer unleashed unrest and exposed the distrust simmering beneath the surface of this small town. But Senekal, nestled in the Eastern Free State, is quietly rewriting its story through community-led restoration, unexpected alliances, and a shared vision for the future. It\u2019s a story of what\u2019s possible when those who once stood divided find a way to stand together in daily acts of courage; when a rural community decides that healing is the only way forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Producer: Anina Peens | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">NOW STREAMING<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SANDF: Open secrets revisited | Carte Blanche | M-Net\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-nPbJOHy9NU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SANDF: Open Secrets Revisited<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Nearly two years ago, we brought you a chilling story about an alleged rogue unit operating within the National Defence Force. Investigations suggested that highly trained, dangerous members of the Special Forces were operating above the law, involved in kidnapping, torture and even murder. Then, in June, news broke that several SANDF members &#8211; including Special Forces operatives &#8211; had been arrested. The State\u2019s case appears to include elements revealed in our own investigation. It\u2019s a story unfolding in real time, with widespread implications for the rule of law, the operation of secret armed forces in our country and vulnerable whistleblowers. Get the full story now on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dstv.com\/en-za\/watch\/stream-with-dstv\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.dstv.com\/en-za\/watch\/stream-with-dstv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>DStv Stream<\/strong><\/a> and Catch Up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dstv.com\/m-net\/en-za\/show\/carte-blanche\/season\/38\/videos\/sandf-open-secrets-revisited\/video\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.dstv.com\/m-net\/en-za\/show\/carte-blanche\/season\/38\/videos\/sandf-open-secrets-revisited\/video\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Full Investigation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SANDF torture squad | Carte Blanche | M-Net\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QNWSAkGFR9U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FROM THE ARCHIVES: SANDF Torture Squad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a story about the bad and the brave and how an investigator on a dark journey exposes shocking secrets at the heart of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It\u2019s a story that starts on the Cape coast, and takes him from Simonstown in the Western Cape to Phalaborwa in the North and then to a military base in South Africa\u2019s capital city, Pretoria. The investigation exposes a grouping of elite soldiers and SANDF officials who appear to operate above the law, engaging in illegal campaigns involving torture, politics, spycraft and even murder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dstv.com\/m-net\/en-za\/show\/carte-blanche\/season\/38\/videos\/sandf-torture-squad\/video\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.dstv.com\/m-net\/en-za\/show\/carte-blanche\/season\/38\/videos\/sandf-torture-squad\/video\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Watch Again<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SA farmers in Georgia | Carte Blanche | M-Net\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eucvfW5ohzQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fight for Land in Georgia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Georgia: it\u2019s a tiny country between Russia and T\u00fcrkiye whose GDP since the early 2000s has been one of the fastest-growing in the world. In a bid to further boost their economy, the Georgian government developed an agricultural development plan and invited South African farmers to relocate there in 2010 to help get it off the ground. Dozens packed up and went. But a lot can change in 15 years. Under a new government, different laws and a changing foreign policy, how are those South Africans doing today? Nickolaus Bauer took a trip to find out. Full story available now on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dstv.com\/en-za\/watch\/stream-with-dstv\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.dstv.com\/en-za\/watch\/stream-with-dstv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>DStv Stream<\/strong><\/a> and Catch Up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dstv.com\/m-net\/en-za\/show\/carte-blanche\/season\/38\/videos\/sa-farmers-in-georgia\/video\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.dstv.com\/m-net\/en-za\/show\/carte-blanche\/season\/38\/videos\/sa-farmers-in-georgia\/video\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stream Now<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">JOIN THE #CARTEBLANCHE CONVERSATION<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Please note: Carte Blanche line-ups are subject to change. Stories can be viewed at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/m-net.dstv.com\/show\/carte-blanche\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.carteblanche.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Facebook:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carteblanchetv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Carte Blanche<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/search\/latest\/?q=%23carteblanche\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u00a0#CarteBlanche<\/a><br \/>Twitter \/ X:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/carteblanchetv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@carteblanchetv<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?f=tweets&amp;vertical=default&amp;q=%23CarteBlanche\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u00a0#CarteBlanche<\/a><br \/>Instagram:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/carteblanchetv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@carteblanchetv<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/explore\/tags\/carteblanche\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u00a0#CarteBlanche<\/a><br \/>Youtube:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/carteblanchetv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">carteblancheTV #CarteBlanche<\/a><br \/>TikTok: @carteblanchetv101<br \/>Threads:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@carteblanchetv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">carteblanchetv<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cOn Monday, a judge in the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruled in our favour in a case we consider precedent-setting. It was an attempt by a KZN cardiologist to prevent us from broadcasting an investigation into serious allegations against him. The court found not only that we be allowed to tell the story, but that the&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2025\/07\/25\/coming-up-on-carte-blanche-27-july-2025\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Coming Up On Carte Blanche &#8211; 27 July 2025<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23231,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,10],"tags":[65,21],"class_list":["post-23872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-online","category-television","tag-carte-blanche","tag-mnet","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CarteBlanche2025.avif","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23872","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23872"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23872\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}