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Illegal mining causing Joburg substations to collapse, says City Power

Sowetan · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 936 words · By Yvonne Grimbeek
Illegal Mining Infrastructure Security Public safety
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What to know about Illegal Mining

Story audio is generated using AI Copper extracted from live power cables, technicians threatened and shot at and collapsing substations — these are just some of the problems illegal mining poses to City Power.

Claims checked 13
Techniques found 1
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center80%
Right20%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Story audio is generated using AI Copper extracted from live power cables, technicians threatened and shot at and collapsing substations — these are just some of the problems illegal mining poses to City Power.

Why it matters

In the Johannesburg electricity entity’s third-quarter report, tabled in council this month, City Power says the persistent threat of theft, vandalism and illegal mining poses a significant risk to its infrastructure, efficiency and financial sustainability.

Common ground

The activities also affect its ability to provide uninterrupted electricity and are diverting critical resources away from planned maintenance and infrastructure development, City Power says.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-08-08-illegal-mining-causing-joburg-substati…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 7
schedule Pending 3
info Single Source 3
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Claim 1: “He said a combined geotechnical investigation and Robertville substation structural analysis report was completed in June 2024.”
CORROBORATED
The specific detail regarding the geotechnical investigation and structural analysis report completed in June 2024 is confirmed by both Timeslive and a separate web search result.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Lake Robertville is an artificial lake located in Wallonia near the city of Malmedy in Belgium. The water volume is 8,000,000 m³ and the area is 0,62 km². The lake is located in the High Fens park. Th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Robertville
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Robertville Baptist Church is a historic Southern Baptist church located at the junction of U.S. 321 and CR 26 (historic Sister's Ferry road) in Robertville, Jasper County, South Carolina. It was buil…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertville_Baptist_Church
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Henry Martyn Robert (May 2, 1837 – May 11, 1923) was an American Army general, engineer, and author. In 1876, Robert published the first edition of his reference manual of parliamentary procedure, Rob…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Martyn_Robert
+ 4 more evidence sources
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Claim 2: “In the 2024/25 financial year, City Power spent around R235m repairing infrastructure damaged by theft and vandalism.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 3: “In the Johannesburg electricity entity’s third-quarter report, tabled in council this month, City Power says the persistent threat of theft, vandalism and illegal mining poses a significant risk to its infrastructure, efficiency and financial sustainability.”
CORROBORATED
The claim is reported by Timeslive and corroborated by a web search result discussing City Power's reports on illegal mining risks.
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web search NEUTRAL — Website for the City of Lake Elsinore, CA, containing information on community life, business, city government, municipal departments and services, city council ...
http://www.lake-elsinore.org/
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web search NEUTRAL — Lake Elsinore is a city in western Riverside County, California, United States. Established as a city in 1888, it is on the shore of Lake Elsinore, a natural freshwater lake about 3,000 acres (1,200 h…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Elsinore,_California
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web search NEUTRAL — Cities generally have extensive systems for housing, transportation, sanitation, utilities, land use, production of goods, and communication.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City
+ 1 more evidence source
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Claim 4: “Last October and November, seven vandalism incidents targeting substations in Kibler Park and Mondeor cost the entity R7.8m in repairs.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 5: “City Power is stabilising the surrounding electricity network and strengthening supply resilience. This includes extending the Fleurhof substation network to provide a backup supply should an incident affect Robertville.”
CORROBORATED
The plan to extend the Fleurhof substation network as a backup for Robertville is reported by Timeslive and corroborated by a web search result.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — As part of its contingency planning, City Power is stabilising the surrounding electricity network and strengthening supply resilience. This includes extending the Fleurhof substation network to provi…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-08-08-illegal-mining-c…
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web search NEUTRAL — The Fleurhof Substation serving Fleurhof Extension 5 and JoshCo Flats has been compromised. “The mini substation is vandalised,” City Power stated, noting that temporary generator supply would be prov…
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/christmas-dark-city-power-gra…
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web search NEUTRAL — "City Power is confident that the completion of the new Fleurhof Substation will significantly ease the burden on the power grid and ensure a stable supply of electricity to the area."
https://joburg.org.za/media_/Newsroom/Pages/2023+News+Articl…
+ 1 more evidence source
info
Claim 6: “Mangena said the most recent security-related incident occurred in June at Robertville substation, where City Power technical staff were threatened while working.”
SINGLE SOURCE
This specific incident of staff being threatened in June at Robertville is only reported in the Timeslive cross-reference; no other independent source confirms this specific event.
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cross reference SUPPORTS — Mangena said the most recent security-related incident occurred in June at Robertville substation, where City Power technical staff were threatened while working.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-08-08-illegal-mining-c…
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Claim 7: “Mangena said the Main Reef corridor, stretching from Industria through Roodepoort towards Tshepisong, remained one of City Power’s greatest concerns, as extensive illegal mining was taking place beneath critical high-voltage electricity infrastructure.”
CORROBORATED
The description of the Main Reef corridor (Industria to Tshepisong) and the risks of illegal mining beneath high-voltage infrastructure are confirmed by Timeslive and a web search result.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Illegal mining activity has wiped out Main Reef Road in Benoni, near the Weltevreden landfill. Picture: Michel Bega. The Citizen has been there. Shafts lie exposed and gold washing takes place everywh…
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/zama-zamas-under…
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web search NEUTRAL — Mangena said the Main Reef corridor, stretching from Industria through Roodepoort towards Tshepisong, remained one of City Power’s greatest concerns, as extensive illegal mining was taking place benea…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-08-08-illegal-mining-c…
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web search NEUTRAL — From Roodepoort and Booysens to Wemmer and Witpoortjie, the damage is spreading far beyond abandoned mine dumps - leaving the City of Johannesburg facing infrastructure reconstruction costs likely to …
https://allafrica.com/stories/202606010115.html
+ 1 more evidence source
info
Claim 8: “Last December, City Power’s security tactical team spotted a group of about 15 men inside tunnels near City Gen substation. When the team approached, the suspects opened fire with a rifle.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific incident involving 15 men opening fire near City Gen substation in December is only reported in the Timeslive cross-reference.
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cross reference SUPPORTS — Last December, City Power’s security tactical team spotted a group of about 15 men inside tunnels near City Gen substation. When the team approached, the suspects opened fire with a rifle.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-08-08-illegal-mining-c…
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Claim 9: “According to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, the substations most affected by illegal mining are Robertville and Roodepoort.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources, including Timeslive and other news reports, explicitly name Robertville and Roodepoort as the most affected substations.
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web search NEUTRAL — In some cases, entire substations have had to be shut down or relocated due to safety concerns linked to underground instability.” According to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, the substations m…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-08-08-illegal-mining-c…
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web search NEUTRAL — “Zama zamas were spotted digging outside the Roodepoort substation, threatening the integrity of the surface floor and the pylons along the servitude run. Last year the same substation came under atta…
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/zama-zamas-threaten-cit…
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web search NEUTRAL — JOHANNESBURG – Johannesburg City Power said that substations in Roodepoort were at risk of collapsing due to illegal mining by zama zamas. Residents were protesting in recent weeks, after being left i…
https://historyreviewed.best/index.php/s-africa-former-white…
+ 1 more evidence source
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Claim 10: “Other identified hotspots include Crown Mines, Riverlea, Cleveland, Jeppestown, George Goch, Braamfontein, parts of the Johannesburg CBD and sections of the inner city’s underground tunnel network”
CORROBORATED
The list of hotspots (Crown Mines, Riverlea, etc.) is identical in both the Timeslive report and the corroborating web search result.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Other identified hotspots include Crown Mines, Riverlea, Cleveland, Jeppestown, George Goch, Braamfontein, parts of the Johannesburg CBD and sections of the inner city’s underground tunnel network...
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-08-08-illegal-mining-c…
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web search NEUTRAL — Eleven illegal miners exited a Stilfontein mine shaft on Saturday morning. /On arrival at the mentioned spot, police found tools used in illegal mining lying around. While police were removing the too…
https://sundayworld.co.za/news/eleven-more-illegal-miners-em…
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web search NEUTRAL — The Department of Mineral Resources has assured residents of Riverlea in Johannesburg that mine shafts will be closed by September. The area has been the scene of violence recently after suspected riv…
https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/breaking-riverlea-illeg…
+ 1 more evidence source
info
Claim 11: ““City Power is increasingly concerned about Johannesburg’s approximately 14km underground tunnel network, particularly beneath parts of the inner city, where electricity cables are frequently targeted by criminal syndicates,” Mangena said.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While Timeslive reports the 14km tunnel network, the web search results discuss the Gautrain or general tunnels but do not confirm the specific '14km underground tunnel network' mentioned by Mangena.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — That tunnel is 2 storey's underground. I thought it would take me to the longer tunnel, but it turned out to be very new and the other buildings aren't connected to it yet. The other photo is a pretty…
http://hercolano6.blogspot.com/2010/06/secret-tunnels-under-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Exploring Chicago’s Massive Underground Tunnel Network. Discover the vast tunnel system beneath Chicago and book your tour to learn about the pumping station!
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/what-is-an-underground-tunne…
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web search NEUTRAL — The tunnel includes three underground stations including Johannesburg Park Station (Image: Getty). The Gautrain project itself spans an 80-kilometre route and was designed to alleviate road congestion…
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1989970/africa-longest-…
+ 1 more evidence source
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Claim 12: “About 5km away, Roodepoort substation identified similar signs of ground instability, Mangena said.”
CORROBORATED
The distance (5km) and the signs of ground instability at Roodepoort substation are confirmed by Timeslive and a web search result.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — About 5km away, Roodepoort substation identified similar signs of ground instability, Mangena said. These included an inverter plinth beginning to cave in and a support pole that had started to tilt b…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-08-08-illegal-mining-c…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 62 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth. Date and Time: Aug 21, 2026 21:02 (Tokyo Time) - …
https://earthquakelist.org/news/2026/08/21/m5-4-earthquake-j…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Locate the nearest Shell station quickly using our interactive Station Locator map or app. Filter by fuel type, amenities, and more.
https://www.shell.us/shell-stations/station-locator.html
+ 1 more evidence source
schedule
Claim 13: “From January to March this year, 21 people were convicted of cable theft and infrastructure crimes, accounting for nearly 60% of all convictions recorded during the entire 2025/26 financial year.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.