Derek Watts, well-known among South Africans for his role as anchor and presenter for 30 years on M-Net’s long-running current affairs television show Carte Blanche, has died.

Watts was known for his journalistic integrity and investigations of corruption.

A through-and-through Johannesburger, Watts was born in Hillbrow but grew up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, before moving back to South Africa.

He has become a household name for his work on Carte Blanche. In June, the show announced that Watts would step away from the camera to focus on his health.

Last year, Watts, who was 74, was diagnosed with skin cancer that had spread to his lungs. He also contracted severe sepsis.