Carte Blanche: The Podcast

EXTRA Pitiful Policing with Ziyanda Stuurman

Whenever the topic of police in South Africa is brought up around the braai, the majority of those in attendance will have a less-than-flattering story to share about their experience with law enforcement. Whether it's the payment of bribes, unlawful arrests, or outright failing in their duties, police impunity and…

24 Nov 2022 20 min

Resurrection Pastor

He’s been dead for more than 400 days. But the family of a prominent Johannesburg pastor, Siva Moodley, refuse to bury him because they’re waiting on a miracle. 

23 Nov 2022 11 min

Conjoined Twins

Conjoined at the head – twins Mpho and Mphonyana Mathibela made history in the late 80s when they underwent a historical operation to separate them. More than three decades later, we meet one of the incredible surgeons who helped plot this intricate operation. 

22 Nov 2022 9 min

Co-Parenting with Strangers

These are unconventional parenting setups – without romance or living together. But can the latest child-rearing option of co-parenting with a stranger create the childhoods children need?

22 Nov 2022 11 min

Transport Wars

Threats, intimidation, violence... As rogue taxis wage war against regulation and any competition, we ask: are taxi associations and pirate operators intent on driving all other forms of public transport off the road?

20 Nov 2022 14 min

Tammy Taylor Franchise Fracas

An investigation into the notorious beauty franchise, Tammy Taylor South Africa, and how it’s allegedly peddling fake products to consumers who are none the wiser.

15 Nov 2022 16 min

Trees vs Fynbos

It’s a case of trees versus fynbos – as conservationists try and preserve the Western Cape’s prized plants, others are fighting to keep invasive tree species alive.

14 Nov 2022 11 min

Police Impunity

In one of the largest cities in the Eastern Cape, police dockets are known to go missing. Serious and violent crime cases remain unsolved, and residents say dirty cops are at the centre of the criminality. Why, in this gangster’s paradise, do violent criminals walk free? 

13 Nov 2022 15 min

Commercial Success

As the new South Africa emerged in the early 90s, so did the golden age of TV commercials. Where are some of those familiar characters now and the creative minds that made sure we never forget them? 

9 Nov 2022 8 min

Zero Transmission

It used to be that private landowners and farmers only had stock theft, droughts, and the occasional plague of locusts to worry about. But when you have an Eskom pylon erected on your property, problems get exponentially worse.

8 Nov 2022 12 min

Sex, Lies & Prison Bars

It's an audacious scam. In fact, we won't blame you if you almost admire the sheer brilliance that goes into this racket. But for the victims involved, there's a lot at stake as individuals masquerading as police officers threaten them with arrest for crimes they didn't commit. But wait until…

8 Nov 2022 14 min

The Killer Next Door

A 5-year-old boy found dead inside his neighbour’s business, his killer arrested, then released. But days later, two more children go missing and are found dead. How muti-inspired killings left three children dead... 

6 Nov 2022 11 min

An Unusual Suspect

Tsomo, Cofimvaba, Nqamkwe, eNgcobo - four small towns in the Eastern Cape where some business owners say they’re under siege. The demand is simple: stop delivering goods to your customers, or else… 

3 Nov 2022 11 min

Medical Xenophobia

Foreign-born women giving birth in South Africa – only to face cruelty, intimidation, and abuse from nursing staff. Why has medical xenophobia become widely practiced while our laws protect all women’s right to access obstetric services?

2 Nov 2022 12 min

Going Nowhere Fast

Fifteen years in the making, billions wasted – so much for a “rapid” transport system… Now, taxi bosses are due to be paid billions more to make Yarona work. Is Rustenburg’s transport future being held ransom by the taxi industry? 

1 Nov 2022 11 min

Deadly Coal Run

Fully laden coal trucks overtaking on double lines, non-stop carnage on the N2… We investigate the roots of a deadly coal rush that is costing lives. Where’s law enforcement that communities have long been pleading for?

27 Oct 2022 15 min

Caravan Conundrum

Caravanning – it’s the great South African tradition. But it’s also costly. So, when cracks started to show in a trusted caravan company during the pandemic, caravan enthusiasts grew nervous… 

25 Oct 2022 12 min

Durban Water Disaster

The problems aren’t new, but they’re far from over. We go undercover to investigate Durban’s growing water crisis. 

24 Oct 2022 14 min

EXTRA Steinhoff: The Latest with Rob Rose

EXTRA Steinhoff: The Latest with Rob Rose.  Once proudly called "the Ikea of Africa", the gigantic Steinhoff came to a spectacular fall in 2017 when several accounting irregularities came to light. It soon became clear that this would be the biggest corporate fraud South Africa had ever seen. Now, almost…

21 Oct 2022 16 min

Military Murder Mystery

Two young men disappear in February, apparently after being assaulted by soldiers. It allegedly happens in front of two senior army officers. But neither is arrested, and the court case drags on while families grieve. 

20 Oct 2022 13 min