JOHANNESBURG –
SAA in Turmoil
Who will save SAA from its current financial nosedive? The airline already has R14.5-billion in state guarantees, but now they need more money from the taxpayer. In a midnight interdict this week, the courts agreed to gag several publications from reporting on a damning memo that spells out just how dire the airline’s finances really are. This drama unfolds on the back of the pilots’ vote of no confidence in the board, and further resignations from its top management. Now critics are pointing fingers at the chairperson, Dudu Myeni. Carte Blanche investigates.
Producer: Joy Summers
Presenter: Derek Watts
Drought Shockwaves
Sixty percent of South Africa’s maize is produced in the Free State. This area is fundamental to food security, but the worst drought in three decades has gripped the nation and Bloemfontein is set to run out of water before Christmas. In Smithfield, in the southern Free State, taps dried up completely a few weeks ago. The State has committed to helping emerging farmers, but desperate commercial farmers say they are fighting a losing battle in the face of further heat waves and soaring costs. Carte Blanche calculates the true cost of the drought.
Producer: Esté de Klerk
Presenter: John Webb
Researcher: Sasha Schwendenwein
Thieving Cops
Several Johannesburg-based police officers linked to a truck-hijacking syndicate, thought they would get away with setting out in police vehicles and in uniform, to steal designer clothing worth millions. The officers proceeded to offload the bounty, but in their haste, neglected to notice the CCTV cameras filming their every move. Could this year’s 29% spike in truck hijackings be related in part to
cops – who are meant to investigate these crimes – actually perpetrating them? Carte Blanche’s exclusive footage helps bring corrupt cops to book.
Producer: Nicky Troll
Presenter: Bongani Bingwa
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