News24 The Lead

The journalist uncovering SA's water crisis, one river at a time

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For tonight's episode of The Lead, we wade into the sewage-ridden waters of Mogale City with Sikonathi Mantshantsha, News24 specialist investigative journalist who on Friday took home the prestigious Taco Kuiper Award for investigative journalism for the series, Wasteland. He uncovered the true source of the region's unbearable smell: the Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was illegally dumping untreated, heavily polluted water into the Blougatspruit River that eventually feeds into the Hartbeespoort Dam. Later in the show, we discuss a City Power staffer who claims to hold a degree that Unisa says doesn't exist. Then, even your TV viewing is about to become more expensive with the VAT increase. Mail your comments and voice notes to thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.
Chapters
  • 00:01 Graeme's intro
  • 01:40 Interview with Sikonathi Mantshantsha
  • 25:17 Trending topic: City Power probe w/ Khaya Koko
  • 30:15 And finally: DSTV price VAT increase
  • 31:18 Graeme's outro
14 Apr 2025 English South Africa News · Society & Culture

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