eNCA’s weekly investigative series Checkpoint was named Best Current Affairs programme at the South African Film and Television Awards over the weekend.
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The programme was awarded for ‘Dr Sello of Ikageng’, a story produced by Health-E’s Bernadette Maguire. Following complaints from the public, the investigative story uncovered the horrific abuses at the hands of a medical practitioner near Potchefstroom. The in-depth investigation also revealed that the practitioner had been hospitalised for mental health issues.
Maguire says, “After being alerted to the tragic death of a toddler and the excruciating last moments of a Potchefstroom grandmother, I was determined to seek justice for the families where the Health Professions Council had failed. Little did I know I would find out so much more about the man dubbed Dr Death.”
After the story was broadcast on Checkpoint, several other community members came forward with horror stories relating to unconventional procedures. The practitioner was suspended as a result of Checkpoint’s investigation. Had Checkpoint not put pressure on the authorities this doctor would still be practising today and many more lives could have been lost.
Acting editor of eNCA, Jeremy Maggs says, “Checkpoint, under the able stewardship of Nkepile Mabuse, continues to set new standards when it comes to investigative journalism particularly at a time when the media’s collective accountability-check spotlight needs to shine as brightly as possible. We’re all delighted at this well-deserved recognition and know that it will spur the programme on to even greater heights.”
New episodes of Checkpoint premiere every Tuesday at 8.30pm on eNCA (DStv channel 403) with a repeat on Sundays at 7pm.
Checkpoint airs on every Tuesday at 10pm on e.tv (DSTV channel 194, Openview channel 104).
Image Courtesy: Supplied