Egregious failings | Carte Blanche | M-Net

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯.
It was once a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the care of children with disabilities and a beacon of hope in the Eastern Cape. For decades, Ikwezi Lokusa was operated by missionary sisters. But in 2001, government took over and soon afterwards its troubles began. In 2018, Carte Blanche investigated the boarding school and uncovered how the infrastructure had deteriorated, leaving children to sleep on brick beds with only a thin mattress for comfort. A critical shortage of caregivers often left vulnerable special needs children with no one to feed them or change their nappies for hours on end. Back then, the Department of Education made big promises to help the children; but as we return to the school five years later, very little has changed. More caregivers have been employed, but they frequently abandon the children, who continue to suffer hardship and neglect. Carte Blanche investigates.
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#carteblanche #southafrica #news #update #investigation #school #education #humanrights #justice

[@carteblanchetv]

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[@moniquevanlill]

@carteblanche - please tell me that criminal charges of child neglect will be made against that principal???

[@UnitedLoyalist]

Do you have a follow up on this story? #CarteBlanche

[@wvbosch]

The problem is NOT the ANC, its us the voters who keep voting these guys in. We don't have an ANC problem we have a voting electorate problem. If you vote ANC you are the problem! With great power, comes great responsibility.

[@io_inc]

Those that vote for ANC are stuck in poverty, Eastern Cape supports ANC as if its their saviour.

[@Tswana_King]

I'm hoping the charter alliance is able to attain power in government.

[@EgorZA82]

Exactly for years now people just keep on voting for them just have a look at the western cape it's run perfectly how can people keep on voting when it is so obvious that they have no clue what they are doing

[@rickmorty5215]

Both are the problem.

[@MbeesKnees]

💯

[@masechabamdaka785]

Can we have criminal charges laid and arrests prioritised? I’m mortified and furious. This is cruelty.

[@gerhardvictor5475]

Child Protection Act!

[@nadine1111]

It’s all so heartbreaking

[@gertvandermerwe1061]

The problem is that the anc government has failed to upholding law and order this is ashamed that the government failed to act against the people that are employed by them to take care of these very fonebral kids the headmaster of this institution should be removed

[@cheznone9296]

At the end of the day what does your mortification and fury represent? The jails are full, the proof of a crime is reliant on witness statements and proof from the victims who are unable to present evidence. The director is the person sitting behind a desk semi agreeing with everything that was brought to his attention - well he needs to be fired that is where to start. The department is responsible for renovating that building to a standard that it was in when the nuns left. He should be ashamed of himself.

[@Chez114]

The measure of a society is how it treats its weakest members

[@anthonyafonso3599]

Indeed

[@ncisept5900]

True

[@coralpaxton113]

I came here to say the very same thing

[@kntcele]

I can’t watch this. We are broken. Anyone who draws a salary from that school should be criminally charged

[@rameezsahabodien3620]

True, and they sure are profiting from this. These kids get money from the government coz of the mine tailings with radiation in them which cause these deseases. So where's that money and why are they not being given proper care

[@dark5tryd3r]

​@@rameezsahabodien3620did you see the "supervisors" car? Corrupt to the core.

[@niloluthers3296]

It all leads to corruption Don't blame the politicians or political parties, we as citizens are to blame " Vote and tick the right box " " Think Before You Act "

[@Laylaa76]

Our society is broken...

[@supermanintraining]

My heart broke watching this. Please, Carte Blanche, keep going back and hold the department accountable.

[@garvinsass4108]

This right here broke my heart and shattered my soul. The government is living the high life while our special needs children suffer like animals

[@db4494]

Absolutely!!! Who owns that Fortuner!! the principal with laptop a salary and nothing is done. Who let you record this!!!! They nor even mentioned that there is supposed to be treatment!!!! I wonder about the budget and whose pocket the money goes... They are poor, who cares...

[@Tinker8531]

What breaks my heart how citizens allow themselves to be treated like animals. they vote over and over again for the abuse.

[@mariemoag129]

@@Tinker8531 not even animals treat their own like this.

[@nicardoklein7959]

Thank you for reporting on this Cart Blanche.🙏🏽

[@InstigatorDJ]

They needed to be more proactive though in 2019!! To hold the people makling promises, ACCOUNTABLE.

[@eisbeinGermany]

and im sure in 10 years time it will still look like that

[@vumani007]

I can't... I just can't stand this level of negligence. There needs to be a criminal charge laid against these people. This is black on black crime. Period.

[@clairewiltshire2561]

Deplorable. What have those poor children done to deserve that. It’s sickening

[@khanyisafikilexayiya1369]

No this broke my heart. my mother literally started crying when she watched this episode. South Africa, vote better next year.

[@PM-xm5ew]

Those who support the ANC, Look, look hard at what they are doing to your own people. It will never change in their hands. Lord bless these children above their needs.

[@jeremyrogers4839]

Ok, I got to 10.26 and then I couldn't anymore. The 'I'm on my lunch break' in her Fortuner almost made me puke. Well done Govan, you are a braver man than me.

[@luisacardoso8275]

I’m not South African, I’m actually a neighbor, and I have to just say that it is very very sad watching such a beautiful country go into a descent like this. It’s unimaginable really. South Africa was a place the rest of Africa dreamt of. Please as a South African vote for change guys. This devil is not better than the devil you don’t know. Prayers to you all 🙏🏼

[@seamus9750]

Being a parent of a special needs child I find this absolutely disgusting....this anc government has reached new lows...VOTE VOTE VOTE !!!!

[@manicmaggie]

I am also a mom of a special needs son. I was shocked to the core. 😭

[@emmerinejonker4804]

I worked at this school from 1995-1998 as a therapist-this is breaking my heart #carteblanche

[@sammonkoe2865]

Thank you for your service Ma'am.👍

[@YoloMoloPolo300]

Black on black crime which is endorsed by the electorate that keeps the ANC in power. If you vote for the ANC you vote for this.

[@christobelthipe8627]

Treating the most vulnerable like this sleeping on Bricks whilst the president is a billionaire. Disgusting does not even describe the level of neglect

[@brad4280]

This story has broken my heart. Lack of accountability really is an epidemic in this country, and this is the fruit that it bears. Every single time something horrible in this country happens, it just turns into a finger pointing match and no one has the guts to stand up and apologize. Absolutely heart breaking. Children for God's sake

[@rixmix60]

What a heartbreaking segment. Bravo Carte Blanche, expose the rot!!

[@VanessaBentley]

I don't even know what to say. This is absolutely heartbreaking. Thank you Carte Blanche for excellent reporting. It couldn't have been easy. We can only hope and pray that this horrific situation is addressed as soon as possible.

[@marcplumridge6681]

I have never been brought to tears watching Carte Blanche...but this had me not only crying in pain for these poor children, but FURIOUS at the same time 😢😢😢

[@wikussedze9292]

Governments way of treating people with special needs reflects their true value for the people who vote for them. The person that find this acceptable and not disturbing, has no heart. I think that this story should go viral. Let's do this for those kids. Our government steals money that could've buy them beds etc. What I am even scared to ask- do these kids receive decent nutritional food. It's a disgrace

[@Dude-1689]

Carte Blanche is beyond just being a necessity. Thank you guys for uncovering such occurrences in our state. In hindsight, you're making private business aware and compelling engagement.

[@danielprinsloo2917]

This is truly inhumane - the people responsible for caring for these children are going to pay for their sins - The ANC government should be charged with child abuse. ABSOLUTELY SICK this is the result of BBBEE

[@maropinini1262]

Accountability Please 🙏🇿🇦

[@danielprinsloo2917]

@@maropinini1262 Accountability ??? Rather wish for snow in December in Durban

[@Daimlerxy_]

What does BBBEE have to do with this now

[@honeybadger1656]

​@@danielprinsloo2917snow hit close to Durban 2 years ago.

[@sophiavorster9406]

​@@Daimlerxy_There could have been RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE on duty!! Whether you like it or not, BBEEE is just benefitting the government and NOT the people!!

[@johanbritz976]

Goto love ANC Cadre deployments.. That principal is like the only one I have seen, who thinks she can get paid the Principal Salary, without any responsibilities..

[@BadHabbitz-tj3ke]

Everything before 1994 was state of the art can't believe how people can treat their own like animals it's heart breaking 😢

[@EgorZA82]

So true when I say this the I am called a racist but common sense should be above a the race card people always like to play

[@daniel19530]

It was state of the art of one demographic, people seem to forget that. However they only had to continue with what they had and it would have worked for all

[@KrispyKrunchee]

Why can’t everyone with this perspective see that the only reason the apartheid gov was able to keep everything “state of the art” is because they dehumanised black people, stole their land and excluded them en-masse from economically participating fairly??? Why is it that going back to white leadership is the only answer you have, why is it always the peoples fault. You voted the apartheid gov in and never complained at it’s genocidal actions; laying the foundation for this class of people who also kill and destroy like the ones who gave them the reins. This is ignorant and immature and your solutions are just as impotent as the current leadership structure.

[@YoloMoloPolo300]

Right? Where are the parents, aunties, uncles, grandparents of these children? Embarrassed by their own offspring so they dump them in this facility where they are treated worse than monkeys in a zoo. But this behaviour is quite normal in Africa. These people are still very under developed mentally.

[@nobstarz]

No it absolutely was not. Firstly spaces for black people were horrible, if they even existed. Secondly I know people who grew up in white orphanages during apartheid and they had rubbish experiences. Yes, the ANC government failing, absolutely but please keep your apartheid day dreaming away and leave the longing for good ol'days before blacks people had rights to your private whatsapp groups and family dinners.

[@nevillechetty1621]

Thank you to the ANC. You are doing a sterling job running our country...into the ground.

[@SantoshSingh-kl9vp]

This is truly shocking and absolutely disturbing.Sadly no one cares but these people are drawing salaries.We should be ashamed as a nation.

[@nelboshoff1196]

This presenter's emotional controll is out of this world. Much respect!

[@mk9330]

I am gutted seeing this, please, please keep on them, Carte Blanche. I wish I had money to do something, I hope someone who sees this can help these kids.

[@christobelthipe8627]

I think it's all about accountability. The government has money but thieving. How can children be sleeping on bricks

[@AapVanDieKaap]

This level of neglect extends to almost every government facility. The ANC and their supporters have a lot of blood on their hands

[@Chronic_Equation]

Reflection of the entire country😢so sad..

[@kimmacputz]

This will sit with me for a long time, I'm sorry to the crew filming that are probably vicariously traumatized 😢 and the only part of the story that I do trust is that you will follow up, they will do nothing and continue to earn salaries, they do not fear losing their jobs, because they won't. We live in a society where some people think it's okay to just move pedophiles around to different posts to reoffend and destroy children's lives, Its shocking and heartbreaking all at once. Thank you for exposing these heartless people, let's hope they see themselves through our eyes now 😢

[@denverwhittal9637]

NO LOVE FOR THE KIDS THERE. UNBELIEVABLE. Thank you Govan for pushing through such difficult situations.

[@MrBrownrd1]

I'm lost for words, does this government have no humanity?

[@vallivergano239]

None

[@joestevens3348]

There must be criminal charges brought against these horrible despicable people who just don't care about anyone but themselves. It appears that any living creature that has been born or acquired a mental/physical disability is discarded by certain cultures which is the most shocking fact and any intervention will always be met with hostility.

[@leenaidoo7195]

Heartbreaking 💔 This is what I call Violation of humanity 💔

[@niloluthers3296]

It's very clear that the Principle only cares about her Pay Cheque and her Attitude Stinks .My mom is 84 and still caring for her son 62 whose blind and parylized.....Knysna Australia 🇦🇺 is Watching 🇦🇺

[@mikesullivan6698]

Thank you Carter Blanche for sharing these stories. I'm a father and found this episode so disturbing. What I cannot fathom is women bearing children can be this cruel and inhumane. Very shocking. I hope you return quickly to see a turnaround.

[@nd0nd042]

Devastated, heartbroken and angry. The work of the cANCer

[@orangeninja912]

No disrepect but for those who claim lunch or whatever Karma is coming. Never think you can do kids wrong and get away with it. May everyone who is liable eat their lunch

[@manicmaggie]

The whole world should see what the ANC has done. 😠

[@dionoliveira4058]

Thank you for your empathy and tenacious reporting, please keep at it lets not leave them alone. Passing the buck taking no responsibility is daily routine and deep in the culture of our current government and all these hospitals, schools, SAA, SAR/Transnet, DENEL, ESKOM and more where all run professionally with excellence and profitability before.

[@Brafami]

This is heartbreaking.. we need to donate and build these kids a better school

[@Marty_R200]

Cannot even finish watching this episode 😭

[@soulblisscoaching]

This is sad. Thank you for airing this. It's disgusting how our vulnerable people are being treated.

[@elzaberoux8795]

thank you for exposing the truth! thank you for realising the responsibility! May you be blessed to cause Real Change! Thank You!!

[@berniegovernder9176]

Deal with the Principal first ' she is not fit for the job' Needs to be fired and never to work with children ever'

[@dgraham1949]

Charge her and be sure she goes to prison!!!

[@sedrickhamani7843]

I couldn't stop crying while watching this filled with anger and frustration at same time 😭😭😭😭this is a crime and dignity is being taken away from the children 😭😭😭😭

[@nyati_imhenyu]

What I just saw is very painful, I felt the pain deep in my bones. I have been a Direct Support Professional for the past 4 years and never in the 4 years had I ever imagined such neglect and abuse can ever happen to such individuals. I am in pain! Heads must role!

[@kagisomabunda]

The media is doing enough to expose and speak for the voiceless, however, where does one start to address this issue because not even people in prisons live in such conditions. The government of Eastern Cape is failing the children who need the most help. I hope something can be done as soon as possible to address these issues. Thank you for standing your ground and continuing to follow up on these, as an aspiring journalist this shows how our people need us to expose and become watchdogs.

[@markkahn8890]

There is something seriously wrong with these heartless people which permeates the whole of society starting with the president.

[@susanknoetzer1309]

😢please SA help the children please!!!

[@dgraham1949]

How is SA supposed to help these kids, when the people there neglected these responsibility. Punish the supervisors with jail time to teach them a lesson. If people can be punished courts through the SPCA surely adults can be punished for child neglect!!!!

[@allplayza]

This is Criminal - the people responsible for this horror should be arrested 😠

[@tereceswartz575]

I’m so broken. Zero accountability from Dep. of Education and leaders in the school 💔💔💔. How do they sleep at night knowing these innocent children are living in these conditions? I’m speechless.

[@celestebredin6213]

Horrifying ! This is appalling . It is the norm for most of this type of facility 😮

[@dima_dims8187]

I just saw this now. I am so heartbroken. Something has to be done. I run a non-profit organization that accomodates vulnerable children in Krugersdorp and this unacceptable!

[@regaogetswechuene9591]

A crime against humanity. So heartbroken and ANGERED by this💔. How did we get here as a nation? As a people? When did it become okay to treat someone like this? Those kids😭💔💔😭😭. This is a Life Esidimeni situation in the making😭💔. I don’t even know what to say. I don’t trust the Department of Education spokesperson. He’s concerned about who gave the crew access?? Not about WHY they (Department) would let something like this happen? I can’t😭💔

[@kgomotsomoloi5565]

My heart bleeds at this moment I can't bare to see such conditions our children have to be in truly speaking it's disgusting and pethetic how our leaders never take action to make things right. For the betterment of the kids.... 💔💔💔

[@sineadwilhase2977]

Heartshattering and disturbing content to watch. This is so so inhumane. Please keep on bringing these atrocities to light 💔

[@hellosandile]

I have not been this angry and heartbroken in my life. People need to go to jail!!!!!

[@tshidisomoraka8861]

Principal is a classical example of people whom a put in critical position of an institution with no passion for that field they are there for the pay check.

[@LansMalherbe]

Let the children of all the Staff and Government officials attend this school. Problem solved overnight.

[@faiqwaghid1453]

Thank you for doing something to help these kids!!!!

[@trevorrathnam8949]

This is truly very disturbing and wish that this situation at this school improves.

[@brianmkwanazi3601]

I really feel sorry for the poor people of the Eastern Cape…. This is where the entire SA is going to be like under the ANC.

[@mandlas.4305]

The government needs to take over this facility. The conditions are beyond horrendous.

[@mercymsezeni838]

Sitting in big cars, while the kids suffer in such facilities. How evil. Why can't the mother look after her son? Why put the child back to where he was harmed. EC DBE is so negligent. Pheeuw! When were they going to account? Fully staffed but not loved 😭. My goodness, the DBE representative 😭😭. Asking them about access instead of doing the right. I pray the fourth visit brings change. Well done Carte Blanche.

[@neesaadams9274]

It is A DISGRACE for these poor kids THOSE SISTERS WERE COMMITTED THESE TAKEN OVER 1) Not commited 2) Cannot do their jobs 3) Should employ people with knowledge to take care of these special disabled children

[@dgraham1949]

Bring back the nuns

[@glyndasmith7179]

I could not watch this and not shed a tear. How did we as humans get to treat vulnerable and helpless children this way? Please, Carte Blanche, this has to be escalated to the highest authorities. This is a violation and criminal act against humanity. Please tell us how we can help...:(

[@carlosdeabreu6436]

This is the most disturbing thing I have watched in a long time. The government needs to step in and make an example.

[@shathaniketogetswe4271]

This broke me so much, they don't care...

[@sherilaattoe6510]

I only watched for 8 mins and couldn't bring myself to watch the rest. Can't stop crying. How can people be this cruel?

[@ladybug160]

I am 1.39 minutes into watching, and I had to stop. I know this will be far too disturbing for me. Our Government is failing children and the elderly in the worst of ways across the whole Country. We need to VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!! Although I can't watch this, I thank the Carte Blanche Team, who are braver than I, who continue to expose topics such as these. ❤

[@sandiletshaka9251]

Thank Carte Blanche, becz stories like these aren't being exposed enough. They're being hushed.

[@neesaadams9274]

They should be kicked out not fit to look after these special needs children

[@rorytitley195]

A Principal is a person who is responsible and should have a duty of care. She displays an ignorance of her responsibilities. The Eastern Cape Education Department is equally responsible. The school inspectorate is also responsible. Name and shame them! The names of those accountable are known. The Eastern Cape Education Department must address this matter appropriately.

[@syathokozahlophe9011]

This is soo sad …. No child deserves to live in these conditions… our government has failed everyone and it gets worse every year 😢..

[@CharlieC738]

I am disgusted beyond belief by how these children are treated. Everything run by the government is a mess, thats putting it mildly. Greed, laziness, no compassion, no morals or ethics. Zero management! They took something that worked perfectly and ruined it. I'm also wondering where the parents or gaurdians of these children are. Do they not check on the type of care their children are receiving or the lack thereof!

[@elmarie2288]

If you can do one thing today to try and help these children and others like them, please do it right now. Raise awareness, Carte Blanche let viewers know how best to help. Department of Education, you can, SA Government you can, neighbours, friends, you all can. Please be the voice for those who have no voice. It will return to you. 🙏

[@keonewalker]

I am heartbroken and appalled by what I just watched I truly hope these kids get the help they need

[@helenduplessis4166]

So SO sad! My heart is totally broken!

[@maralynbunting9471]

This is so disturbing Why are people who have no sense of Love or empathy this really made me cry What kind of government is this? Why are these people employed to take of children and honestly these people don't care They should employ people who are capable of looking after our children Irrespective of colour race or religious believes I am so so traumatized by this

[@Dlezinye]

Mthatha is a microcosm of South Africa. Just a touch ahead in moral and physical degradation. Lived in Mthatha for 12 years. What Mthatha was 10 years ago, Johannesburg is today.

[@berniegovernder9176]

This is so sad ,inhumane and cruel.

[@RadebeKids]

They're eating lunch sitting in a high end SUV!!! Whilts metres away, children are crawling, clinging on to the bad situation surrounding them!

[@dannythetuber132]

I remember that school well. What a tragedy. Is there anything that this trash ANC government has ever done properly?

[@nkdnkd5844]

I'm not surprised. The way people living in that area treat animals alone, this isn't a surprise at all.

[@ekisgatvol6979]

Anybody that is shocked by this, have been sleeping under a rock for the past 29 years

[@tristankiet7548]

This one episode I can't finish... its heart breaking

[@monicagomes5899]

This is just heartbreaking to watch these beautiful angels do not deserve to be treated in such a manner what has happened to showing love and compassion 💔 😢

[@garethfullerton9824]

This is heartbreaking. Please provide details of how the public can contribute towards improving the living conditions of these children. Unfortunately, it seems that change will not be enacted by the government in any sustainable manner. Please provide a name or contact details of a charity that would support the children.

[@sharissesaunders2307]

This in just inhumane, this is extreme neglect, and severe cruelty if government hasn't done anything for so many years, why would they now? As citizens that believe in humanity, knowing right from wrong, we have to do something, where can we donate to helping these kids?

[@leenaidoo7195]

Carte Blanche, please send this to the president. Thanks 😢

[@SantoshSingh-kl9vp]

Cyril is going to blame Apartheid for everything

[@leenaidoo7195]

@@SantoshSingh-kl9vp most definitely.

[@bighomiehydro1422]

Heartbreaking 💔 the government has failed these little kids.

[@lonatshongweni5115]

I am beyond livid and hearbroken.... I could not watch 10mins of this episode. How do we provide real help to these kids. I don't even want to talk about of workers at this place gosh.... Yho this terrible....

[@olettancatsha6687]

As a former intern at the DoE specifically working in inclusion and special school unit, the DoE is mandated to send education specialists on a regular basis who are supposed to report on the progress of the learners and the school. The EC DoE is well aware of the problems and they have chosen to ignore this. It is truly heartbreaking but more so the caregivers and the principal should not be working at special schools as they have no regard for the children.

[@leelee9106]

Why did Carte Blanche take 5 years to re-investigate this school?!!! Your original findings were extremely disturbing and it is on your consciences that these defenseless children suffered for a further 5 years. Honestly, Carte Blanche, you need to feel ashamed.

[@mrlettuce7507]

Ohhh my goodness this is so heartbreaking 💔 I'm shattered honestly

[@lynnmey3662]

THE PRINCIPAL SHOULD BE REMOVED THIS IS SHAMEFUL AND HEARTBREAKING TREATING THESE POOR CHILDREN DISGUSTINGLY

[@clewinotto7950]

This is the problem of the ANC Government they don't care about the children of South Africa 😢

[@Tswana_King]

The department head is only concerned about their image. Well... Sir the freedom of the press is a core principle of our Constitution.