An unusual suspect

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯𝟬 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. Cape fur seals are generally curious and friendly sea mammals. They are often found lazing around in Western Cape harbours and diving sites, and they’ve become a common sight on our beaches. But in recent years, there has been a significant increase in unprovoked attacks on people both in the water and onshore. Experts say this behaviour is unusual because seals usually attack only when they’re protecting their young. Now eight seals, including a pup that attacked five surfers in May this year, have tested positive for the deadly rabies virus: the first recorded cases in seals since 1981. Scientists, veterinarians and marine authorities are confounded, and companies that used to snorkel with seals have closed shop. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟰 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. In November last year, a ten-year-old girl was found during a routine traffic roadblock, squashed inside the luggage compartment of a long-distance bus. She had been smuggled from Zimbabwe into South Africa under extreme conditions for several hours. But her case isn’t unusual. In this months-long investigation, Carte Blanche unravels alleged cross-border human trafficking and the shadowy figures known as transporters who are making it all possible. Undocumented foreign nationals are lured to South Africa from numerous African countries – many of them ending up on the streets of Johannesburg North. Thousands of Malawians are lured into the country on the promise of a new life, some smuggled by long-haul bus companies and funeral parlours, only to be forced into sex work and manual labour. In an even more sinister twist, many of the victims are coerced into taking out funeral policies on themselves once they reach South Africa. It’s an unusual demand but a guaranteed income as the transporters cash in on vulnerable undocumented foreign nationals. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟬 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Matteo Botha shouldn’t 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’s heart stopped on the operating table, an unusual outcome that baffled his medical team. They resuscitated him – but then his heart stopped again... and again. Within 24 hours of being rushed to the emergency department, the little boy’s 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. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Mpho and Flenters are unusual companions. One is an orphaned rhino calf and the other a sheep with a little attitude. At a secret location in the bush, Mpho is just one of a crash of orphaned rhino calves saved from certain death by a non-profit rhino orphanage. Many of them lost their mothers to poaching and, in the wild, young rhino are completely incapable of caring for themselves. They will either fall prey to predators or eat dirt to survive. At this orphanage, the budding friendship between Mpho and Flenters is getting all the attention. Staff at the orphanage hope that, with Flenters’ help, Mpho might one day return to the wild. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv