Coming up on Carte Blanche on M-Net & M-Net HD [101], Sunday 21 January 2024 at 19:00.
Black Gold
Coal is a valuable commodity, untraceable and in high demand. In South Africa, thousands of coal trucks criss-cross the country, transporting it to lucrative export markets. But the stakes are even higher on the illicit market. Criminal syndicates target the coal industry, brazenly stealing thousands of tons from coal trucks. Their methods are evolving to feed the black market and evade seemingly ineffective law enforcement. In one of our biggest stings yet, the Carte Blanche team infiltrates the illegal black market to show you first-hand how stolen coal is traded.
Producer: Nicky Troll
Presenter: Govan Whittles
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The Big Coal Switch
Coal – it’s a commodity in high demand – locally and globally. Power stations need it, export markets want it, and criminals are after their slice of the action. The black market for coal is thriving, and a devious new trend is hitting the industry. Syndicates are paying willing transport company drivers to replace their loads of high-grade coal with a lower grade product. The driver pockets a cut of the profits, while the criminals sell the loads of coal back to the legitimate market at a premium. It’s called coal switching and Carte Blanche has the inside edge on how it’s done, and who’s pocketing the lion’s share.
Red Zones
Emergency medical crews are coming under attack while on duty across the country. In the Western Cape alone, more than 40 incidents of violence directed at paramedics were recorded last year. In a bid to protect paramedics, so-called red zones were declared in the province in 2016: areas that paramedics dare not enter without a police escort. But, even with additional security, their safety is not guaranteed as the red zones become increasingly dangerous. For these paramedics, putting their lives on the line to save critically ill or injured patients is all part of a day’s work. This Sunday, we join these unsung heroes as they enter the dark side of the city on a busy Friday night to reach their patients.
Producer: Catherine Rice
Presenter: Erin Bates
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Sebokeng’s Second Chance
When a child is in an accident or suffers a burn injury, they are rushed to the emergency unit of the nearest hospital – along with every adult in need of urgent care. In most South African casualty wards, there is no distinction between adult and child patients, much to the children’s detriment. They need specialised triage techniques and knowledge, and adult equipment is not designed for tiny bodies. At Sebokeng Regional Hospital, the situation for young patients has become dire. Now, the Carte Blanche Making A Different (MAD) Trust has stepped in. The Trust undertakes special projects for paediatric units in state hospitals. Having recently completed a Paediatric Burns Outpatient Department at Ngwelezana Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, the MAD Trust is creating a first-of-its-kind children’s trauma facility in its third project at Sebokeng Hospital.
Producer: Laura Byrne & Karolina Andropoulos
Presenter: Erin Bates
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Carte Blanche: The Podcast
Unique stories. Unique perspectives. Carte Blanche: The Podcast delves beneath the headlines into South African and global issues, bringing you the stories that matter. Like what you hear? Drop us a rating or review.
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Please note Carte Blanche line-ups are subject to change.
