Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
@owlarcana.bsky.social
Editor at @carteblanche.co.za and relentless news junkie. Often staring at the ceiling at 3 in the morning. Owns two cats but wants to own them all. Perpetually playing catch-up on TV series from a decade ago.
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
Yoh! One farmer we spoke to ended up giving a lock and key to cigarette smugglers so they would stop cutting his fences while crossing his farm. Authorities simply don't have the manpower to deal with this. #CarteBlanche
Cigarette smuggling syndicates along the Zim-SA border are becoming more militant, with some carrying AK-47s, using radios and drones to evade capture. #CarteBlanche
September 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Yoh! One farmer we spoke to ended up giving a lock and key to cigarette smugglers so they would stop cutting his fences while crossing his farm. Authorities simply don't have the manpower to deal with this. #CarteBlanche
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
Near Beitbridge border post lies an abandoned 5000-hectare farm with a 12-bedroom hunting lodge. Nine months ago, the owner was forced off his R40-million property by a cigarette smuggling syndicate. #CarteBlanche
September 14, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Near Beitbridge border post lies an abandoned 5000-hectare farm with a 12-bedroom hunting lodge. Nine months ago, the owner was forced off his R40-million property by a cigarette smuggling syndicate. #CarteBlanche
A thousand packs of cigarettes are carried by a smuggler in one run, contained into master cases. At roughly R26 tax each, that’s a minimum of R26 000 in lost revenue for the state every time a carrier does a drop-off. #CarteBlanche
The real cost of illicit cigarette smuggling? Roughly R20 billion in tax per year. Money that could've gone towards education, health and basic infrastructure. #CarteBlanche
September 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
A thousand packs of cigarettes are carried by a smuggler in one run, contained into master cases. At roughly R26 tax each, that’s a minimum of R26 000 in lost revenue for the state every time a carrier does a drop-off. #CarteBlanche
The real cost of illicit cigarette smuggling? Roughly R20 billion in tax per year. Money that could've gone towards education, health and basic infrastructure. #CarteBlanche
September 14, 2025 at 5:31 PM
The real cost of illicit cigarette smuggling? Roughly R20 billion in tax per year. Money that could've gone towards education, health and basic infrastructure. #CarteBlanche
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
This fish processing facility at Hout Bay Harbour was burnt down during a protest years ago. Fish factory owner Sean Walker's been begging government since 2018 to allow him to rebuild it... #CarteBlanche
September 14, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This fish processing facility at Hout Bay Harbour was burnt down during a protest years ago. Fish factory owner Sean Walker's been begging government since 2018 to allow him to rebuild it... #CarteBlanche
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
For the past 15 years, the Department of Public Works - now headed by Minister @DeanMacpherson - has been promising to upgrade Hout Bay Harbour. To date, very little has been done. #CarteBlanche
September 14, 2025 at 5:20 PM
For the past 15 years, the Department of Public Works - now headed by Minister @DeanMacpherson - has been promising to upgrade Hout Bay Harbour. To date, very little has been done. #CarteBlanche
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
Hout Bay Harbour is loved by tourists and locals. Is turning this historic fishing village into another high-end V&A Waterfront the answer to saving the harbourr #CarteBlanche
1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Yes
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">No
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Unsure
📊 Show results
1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Yes
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">No
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Unsure
📊 Show results
September 14, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Hout Bay Harbour is loved by tourists and locals. Is turning this historic fishing village into another high-end V&A Waterfront the answer to saving the harbourr #CarteBlanche
1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Yes
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">No
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Unsure
📊 Show results
1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Yes
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">No
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/KkXhm9/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Unsure
📊 Show results
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
Selling alcohol flavouring isn't illegal. But the legality depends on what it's intended for. Leon Strydom sells flavours for Hennessy, Jameson and popular vodka brands and even gives advice on how to make counterfeit drinks. #CarteBlanche #SouthAfrica
August 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Selling alcohol flavouring isn't illegal. But the legality depends on what it's intended for. Leon Strydom sells flavours for Hennessy, Jameson and popular vodka brands and even gives advice on how to make counterfeit drinks. #CarteBlanche #SouthAfrica
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
COMING SOON: They come in their hundreds, day in and day out. Smugglers are hauling illegal cigarettes across the border, and it’s a war zone on the ground. That's #CarteBlanche every Sunday at 7pm on M-Net channel 101, and on DStv Stream. #Crime #SouthAfrica #News
September 3, 2025 at 9:23 AM
COMING SOON: They come in their hundreds, day in and day out. Smugglers are hauling illegal cigarettes across the border, and it’s a war zone on the ground. That's #CarteBlanche every Sunday at 7pm on M-Net channel 101, and on DStv Stream. #Crime #SouthAfrica #News
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
A Durban family is caught in alleged crossfire between police and suspected hijackers. But were there hijackers at all? #CarteBlanche investigates this Sunday at 7pm on M-Net channel 101, and on DStv Stream. #SouthAfrica #News #Crime
September 4, 2025 at 11:33 AM
A Durban family is caught in alleged crossfire between police and suspected hijackers. But were there hijackers at all? #CarteBlanche investigates this Sunday at 7pm on M-Net channel 101, and on DStv Stream. #SouthAfrica #News #Crime
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
From sneakers to cigarettes, counterfeits are everywhere - even your favourite drink. And counterfeit alcohol may be sitting on shelves at your local liquor store. #CarteBlanche investigates. Find the full story now on DStv Stream and Catch Up. #SouthAfrica #Cocktail
Bogus booze
These days, there’s really nothing that can’t be counterfeited – from sneakers and T-shirts to handbags and cigarettes. Our shops are awash with fake products; a vast underground economy with links to organised crime. So, it’s not surprising that your favourite tipple can be faked too. But what you might not expect to hear is that counterfeit alcohol could be on the shelves at your local, suburban liquor store.
For the full story, get DStv Stream Premium: https://bit.ly/DStv-Stream
www.dstv.com
September 4, 2025 at 6:20 PM
From sneakers to cigarettes, counterfeits are everywhere - even your favourite drink. And counterfeit alcohol may be sitting on shelves at your local liquor store. #CarteBlanche investigates. Find the full story now on DStv Stream and Catch Up. #SouthAfrica #Cocktail
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
Tanzanian authorities have put opposition leader Tundu Lissu on trial for treason, a charge that carries the death penalty — but it is not the first time that the country’s apparatus of repression has tried to kill him.
AFRICA UNSCRAMBLED OP-ED: Tanzania’s ruling party seeks to rid itself of the ‘troublesome’ Tundu Lissu
www.dailymaverick.co.za
August 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Tanzanian authorities have put opposition leader Tundu Lissu on trial for treason, a charge that carries the death penalty — but it is not the first time that the country’s apparatus of repression has tried to kill him.
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
The Joburg Property Company insists Marks Park and various other public green spaces are not for sale, their documents say otherwise. A day after this interview, the City withdrew its application. #CarteBlanche
August 10, 2025 at 5:39 PM
The Joburg Property Company insists Marks Park and various other public green spaces are not for sale, their documents say otherwise. A day after this interview, the City withdrew its application. #CarteBlanche
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
At first glance, Napier looks like any small sleepy town in South Africa. But spend a bit of time here and you’ll find that it’s home to the unexpected. It’s the colourful characters who live here now who bring this town to life; like 71-year-old Roger Lucey. #CarteBlanche @ermbates.bsky.social
August 10, 2025 at 5:42 PM
At first glance, Napier looks like any small sleepy town in South Africa. But spend a bit of time here and you’ll find that it’s home to the unexpected. It’s the colourful characters who live here now who bring this town to life; like 71-year-old Roger Lucey. #CarteBlanche @ermbates.bsky.social
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
Books, books, & more books. Plenty of booksellers, too.
From Johannesburg, South Africa, a slice of the city's life that will surprise you & delight you. From the excellent @carteblanche.co.za. youtu.be/P4W9Y-1IhXs
From Johannesburg, South Africa, a slice of the city's life that will surprise you & delight you. From the excellent @carteblanche.co.za. youtu.be/P4W9Y-1IhXs
Books galore! | Carte Blanche | M-Net
YouTube video by Carte Blanche
youtu.be
August 10, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Books, books, & more books. Plenty of booksellers, too.
From Johannesburg, South Africa, a slice of the city's life that will surprise you & delight you. From the excellent @carteblanche.co.za. youtu.be/P4W9Y-1IhXs
From Johannesburg, South Africa, a slice of the city's life that will surprise you & delight you. From the excellent @carteblanche.co.za. youtu.be/P4W9Y-1IhXs
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
The deliberate killing of five Al Jazeera staff has brought the total number of journalists killed by Israel since the start of the war to 237, according to Gaza's Government Media Office.
🔴 LIVE updates:
🔴 LIVE updates:
Israel murders five Al Jazeera staff in Gaza, including Anas al-Sharif
Al-Sharif was killed along with Mohammed Qreiqeh two cameramen and an assistant in an Israeli attack on Gaza City.
aje.io
August 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
The deliberate killing of five Al Jazeera staff has brought the total number of journalists killed by Israel since the start of the war to 237, according to Gaza's Government Media Office.
🔴 LIVE updates:
🔴 LIVE updates:
This was such a huge victory for us! We cannot be silenced and this past week's precedent-setting judgment ensures no medical professional can gag media again. #CarteBlanche
The man at the centre of tonight's story didn’t want you to see it tonight. Last month, Dr Ntando Duze brought an urgent interdict against us, seeking to prevent the broadcast of our investigation and claiming that #CarteBlanche has been influenced by a professional conspiracy against him.
July 27, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This was such a huge victory for us! We cannot be silenced and this past week's precedent-setting judgment ensures no medical professional can gag media again. #CarteBlanche
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
Nearly two years after our exposé on rogue SANDF operatives, arrests have been made. The case echoes our findings and raises alarm over secret forces, rule of law, and whistleblower safety. Watch the full story now on DStv Stream and Catch Up. @opensecrets.org.za #CarteBlanche
SANDF: Open secrets revisited
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 - including Special Forces operatives - had been arrested. The State’s case appears to include elements revealed in our own investigation. It’s 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.For the full story, get DStv Stream Premium: https://bit.ly/DStv-Stream
www.dstv.com
July 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Nearly two years after our exposé on rogue SANDF operatives, arrests have been made. The case echoes our findings and raises alarm over secret forces, rule of law, and whistleblower safety. Watch the full story now on DStv Stream and Catch Up. @opensecrets.org.za #CarteBlanche
The physician was able to deny care due to Tennessee's Medical Ethics Defence Act, which took effect in April. The law allows medical personnel to deny care based on their religious or moral beliefs. It is the first documented case of a woman being denied healthcare for being unwed in the country.
Tennessee Woman Denied Prenatal Care Because She is Unmarried
Tennessee is already the worst state for maternal mortality
meidasnews.com
July 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The physician was able to deny care due to Tennessee's Medical Ethics Defence Act, which took effect in April. The law allows medical personnel to deny care based on their religious or moral beliefs. It is the first documented case of a woman being denied healthcare for being unwed in the country.
Sadleir recently made headlines for forcing WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram owner Meta Platforms to disclose the information of users posting explicit content of South African school children. #CarteBlanche #News
The South African lawyer that forced a US tech giant to disclose information about explicit content
The attorney, author, and events speaker recently made headlines following a landmark ruling against Meta Platforms.
mybroadband.co.za
July 24, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Sadleir recently made headlines for forcing WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram owner Meta Platforms to disclose the information of users posting explicit content of South African school children. #CarteBlanche #News
In a shock twist, Amber Lee Hughes has now admitted to killing her ex’s four-year-old daughter, Nada-Jane Challita. #SouthAfrica #News
UPDATE | Nada-Jane’s killer now admits she drowned child in the bath | News24
In a shock twist, Amber Lee Hughes has now admitted to killing her ex’s four-year-old daughter, Nada-Jane Challita.
www.news24.com
July 24, 2025 at 1:39 PM
In a shock twist, Amber Lee Hughes has now admitted to killing her ex’s four-year-old daughter, Nada-Jane Challita. #SouthAfrica #News
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
A massive win for media freedom! Join #CarteBlanche this Sunday at 7pm on M-Net channel 101 as we finally bring you our investigation into a doctor alleged to be performing unnecessary, life-altering procedures on patients' hearts.
The KZN High Court in Pietermaritzburg has dismissed a bid by a Durban cardiologist to stop the broadcast of a programme in which former patients accused him of malpractice.
Read groundup.org.za/article/cart... | by Tania Broughton
Read groundup.org.za/article/cart... | by Tania Broughton
Carte Blanche “gagging” order overturned
Dr Ntando Duze initially obtained an interdict to stop the airing of a programme about allegations of malpractice
groundup.org.za
July 22, 2025 at 11:20 AM
A massive win for media freedom! Join #CarteBlanche this Sunday at 7pm on M-Net channel 101 as we finally bring you our investigation into a doctor alleged to be performing unnecessary, life-altering procedures on patients' hearts.
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
Is one doctor burdening healthy patients with unnecessary implants and a lifetime of complications? That's #CarteBlanche this Sunday at 7pm on M-Net channel 101, and on DStv Stream. #SouthAfrica #Health
July 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Is one doctor burdening healthy patients with unnecessary implants and a lifetime of complications? That's #CarteBlanche this Sunday at 7pm on M-Net channel 101, and on DStv Stream. #SouthAfrica #Health
Reposted by Owl Arcana 🇿🇦
Trump’s second term is being documented without writing down the words..
The White House has pulled official transcripts, leaving future historians (and the public) in the dark.
buff.ly/WHnhrI0
#USPolitics #Trump #History
The White House has pulled official transcripts, leaving future historians (and the public) in the dark.
buff.ly/WHnhrI0
#USPolitics #Trump #History
From Washington’s burned letters to Trump’s missing transcripts, partial presidential records limit people’s full understanding of history
A nation’s history is told by its records. The White House no longer publishing Trump’s full remarks makes this history less complete.
buff.ly
June 13, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Trump’s second term is being documented without writing down the words..
The White House has pulled official transcripts, leaving future historians (and the public) in the dark.
buff.ly/WHnhrI0
#USPolitics #Trump #History
The White House has pulled official transcripts, leaving future historians (and the public) in the dark.
buff.ly/WHnhrI0
#USPolitics #Trump #History