Joburg undermined | Carte Blanche | M-Net

[@carteblanchetv]

*NB: Please read our rules before commenting. Please alert us by emailing [e-mail] should you see any comments or threads that contain the below: Racist and/or homophobic comments will not be tolerated and users will be banned immediately. 1. Hate speech, defamation & hostility inciting comments. 2. Harassing (incl. sexual), threatening, embarrassing, swearing at, or abusing of another participant. 3. Acting as employees of Carte Blanche.4. Spam links or comments. 5. Crude or offensive language. Your privacy is important to us. Please do not share personal details in the comments as they will be removed for your safety.

[@IAmTbang96]

The depth of journalism in this report is groundbreaking. One of my favourites by Carte Blanche.

[@peterpumpkineater301]

Not exactly groundbreaking nor thorough nor in depth enough to expose the cabal behind it all. It's been happening for years and I too have been threatened for trying to report it to officials and law enforcement. Actually just makes me sick to see the JMPD there out in force when I know for a fact that they buy the skins themselves and take bribe money regularly. I've written to CB years ago about what's happening there and finally there is a bit of a story, too little too late, so sad. They need to follow the money and expose the top corrupt officials behind the decay. Crime is Massive business as it ensures you pay more for security and more in your premiums for insurance etc etc. Those heavily armed and over paid security guards acting all buff wouldn't have their current jobs and the security companies charging massive amounts for government to collect ever more in the form of additional taxes wouldn't exist if the terrorists in power never allowed it to happen in the 1st place.

[@jason3623]

😂 punny.

[@SetoPerrier]

This is comedy gold for those with a refined sense of humour. 😂

[@kingkunte5479]

Thank you ANC you have officially turned us into a failed state. 2024 vote these thugs out

[@swoftgtstandard3499]

our 2024 elections could make or break SA

[@KingThabiso]

Exactly bro

[@peterpumpkineater301]

Ironically it's right there in the name we are so proud to call "Jo'burg - A World Class AFRICAN City".

[@jeremyreid9582]

No chance!! Again, 6 weeks before the elections cANCerous bodies will walk in the poorest most unhygienic parts of our gorgeous country and again promise the heavens will open with : - instant qualifications no schools or tertiary institutes required - the govt. sector quadruple its incompetent staff complement - they shall blame the inconsistent (dangerous?) water and electricity supplies on any and everything (*) except themselves 🤔 (Jan van Riebeeck - he did not arrive with sufficient supplies for today’s nation, the previous regime hid all the secrets of both water and electricity which has required of the govt. to re-invent these resources … on their own ! And as for all of the Springboks historical victories … well they would never have occurred, without the cANCer photobombing at every opportunity.)

[@Jay-rd3hn]

ANC never dig any holes for mines those who dig holes for mines and hiring people from Lesotho 🇱🇸, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼, Mozambique 🇲🇿, Swaziland 🇸🇿 and Malawi 🇲🇼 has taught them how to mine. Why they didn’t decommission it as they did to nuclear ☢️, who are the clients of the zama zama that also must be investigated. The clients are encouraging zama zama to do this.

[@jacomalan7555]

This woman is a top journalist. Well done, looking forward to more stories covered by her

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

She is very professional.💯👌🏻

[@khanyamazkhali6949]

Haven't seen such great journalism in a while. Thank you Carte Blanche. What is our government doing about this?

[@phillipleboa5251]

The ANC is doing nothing, will not do anything. And do you call it a GOVERNMENT? Dogs and pigs can govern better...

[@peacefulheart1431]

Cele is looking for people to clap hands 😂😂😂😂😂

[@verabooysen3762]

Nothing as usual....😕

[@MarkBrits]

They're looking for more of them to do this so that they (the government) can pocket more

[@Theworldhasgonebonkers]

They are involved...if they weren't they would have stopped it a long time ago...

[@molumojohannes809]

To think how scary it is just to walk in down town Joburg in daylight, watching you guys walk on the territorry of zama zamas gives me chills down my spine. I always ask myself why is SA being intentially being riped apart, what is the force required to destoy those allowing this to happen? Great journalism guys. Much respect.

[@myshepspud1]

I wish the majority of SA cared about what this leads to the lack of jobs crime etc etc but atleast in KZN they couldn't care a hoot and it's the marginalised that actually trying to stand up for the country.

[@ludacrees]

Is time for the ANC to be out next year and have a coalition government

[@OliverNorthZA]

Does this look like downtown Joburg to you?

[@QueenMaleka-ul8el]

@october yes its is, they then sell the meat or should I day skin to Nigerias

[@Voidy123]

Greed is the force that drives the zama zamas

[@thabisosikhumbuzomazibuko3209]

Feels like I’m watching an sci-fi horror, yet this is RSA. It’s sad how everything is deteriorating in our country and yet you’ll never hear one government official saying a word about this, when people uprise it’s called xenophobia

[@mapulemdletshe1581]

I could not finish it. Too horific.

[@thabisosikhumbuzomazibuko3209]

I don't blame you, seeing the place we love and grew uo in becoming such wastelands

[@Voidy123]

Keep on voting ANC and keep on bearing the brunt of their corruption.

[@hopebuhali3887]

​@@Voidy123Its not like theres an alternative political party to vote for

[@granthenderson696]

@@hopebuhali3887… yet Cape Town is so better run than Gauteng? Think about that?

[@stevennicholas5472]

Get rid of the ANC and let competence get rid of the crime.

[@loistoy3403]

👏👏👏👍👍❤️

[@penekedirero4636]

And helen suzman who is defending these people?

[@stevennicholas5472]

@@penekedirero4636She's always been a whack-job. I prefer to believe what Maggie said about them.

[@byroneksteen-b5w]

but who can take ANCs place as the DA are not a strong hold when it comes to crime Cape Town city is divided by 'mafia' groups and the ward counselors they chose are like church camp leaders

[@samsamlall4118]

It truly saddens me that government is doing nothing about these places

[@BOBBY-et9xb]

Because some in Government are also involved.

[@faithsdollsville2662]

@@BOBBY-et9xbI was about to say that too. They are in most criminal activities like drugs and human and child trafficking…. Allegedly

[@juliawitt3813]

They'd lose their cut .....This country is INFESTED with criminals

[@thabamathabathe2544]

We got no government

[@SeanGavin-rf5vd]

The cANCer does not care. They only care about themselves and their bank accounts

[@faniecremer4899]

Lourensa You really are one very brave and curious girl. This is journalism of the highest (dangerous) class. It is not even necessary to leave Joburg for a war zone, it is just below the surface.

[@nicksolomon958]

Lourensa Eckard -brilliant journalism-and great contribution by your camera guy

[@mariskavanrooyen4359]

Thank you for keeping us updated Carte Blanche, this has to be one of the most pressing issues in JHB.

[@sharperimagegymjerome3674]

Why doesn't the government hold the mining companies accountable for rehabilitation of the areas and fill up all the shafts?

[@damianbenson8092]

They fill the shafts but they dig around it or break through huge concrete blocks.

[@jpza4615]

Mines do close up shafts, and they get broken open again.

[@hughanmilborrow4604]

And how do you suggest they permanently do that? Anything can be broken when crime is the issue 😊

[@sharperimagegymjerome3674]

After rehabilitation of the mines security must be in place. The mining companies made lots of money from these mines and they can't just walk away and say that they have fulfilled some of their obligations. The other problem is how is that foreigners are breaking the laws in South Africa and are getting away with it?

[@Cheftommy-y5i]

Let people mine the left overs

[@nosiphomasina3257]

Amazing journalism 👏it’s quite saddening to see what is happening to our country

[@kambrose1549]

Your team was brave to go there. What a nightmare from every angle

[@RayBarK1]

Brave but each of their security has SMGs? Be real

[@Ca55-WP]

Lol smgs? Someone needs to brush up on their firearm knowledge.

[@michaelgregorio1896]

Instead of starting at the bottom of the trade they should start at the top and work their way down, for every 100 Zama zamas their is 1 top buyer. If the Zama zamas have no one to sell to their will be less of them. Start at the top and work your way down.

[@sylism5086]

This takes me back to the doccie AlJazeera once did.

[@zee_42]

I fully agree. Together with border control, they won't have a market to sell to locally and won't be able to take it out of the country either

[@novadunga]

The only comment that makes sense here. I mean really now guys, thing That one top guy is probably politically connected.

[@Frank_inSA]

Don't know. Gold will always have value in which form whatsoever and you do not need HiTech to refine

[@myshepspud1]

That would be the entire ANC bud.

[@monicakieck7501]

We have seen the 4 episodes of the gold Mafia; they are ANC soldiers.

[@KabeloNgwenya]

THIS JOURNALIST IS BRAVE: GOING STRAIGHT INTO GOTHAM WITH CAMERAS, ETC. PROPS TO HER AND THE CREW THROUGH💯👏🏿 REALLY INSIGHTFUL. AND ALSO THE CASUAL SWITCHING BETWEEN ENGLISH AND AFRIKAANS MADE THIS SOUND A LOT MORE GROUNDED AND AUTHENTIC👌🏿

[@dcollop3543]

Artisinal mining. Is like calling a shack an informal dwelling.

[@timtam9646]

Get rid of the ANC. This is going to get out of hand . High calibre machine guns and anti air craft guns . Maintaining the infrastructure and maintaining law and order is something these people just can get there head around . They only know how to destroy

[@erniegouws7262]

Send them of to Palestine

[@JackWaldbewohner]

Greetings from an ex-South Africa resident in San Francisco, California. This is a scary story. Thanks for being brave enough to present it!!!

[@chillyman7340]

You are so lucky I wish I could leave too 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@Hellstothenaw]

Sad that you live in San Fran now. That place has turned into a massive dump.

[@natesnautical]

makes me wanna immigrate tomorrow...

[@jamesthomson13]

​@@HellstothenawI'm sure is heaven compared to SA.

[@Hellstothenaw]

@@jamesthomson13 Nope. California is where the soul goes to die. They tax you to death there just like SA. Crime is out of control. Especially in San Francisco. Turning into a little SA itself. Im just thinking if you have to leave SA, why go there of all places?

[@elonchieftwatt]

Maybe im an idiot; but why don't they just level the place with a few dynamites strategically placed, give them a few hours to get out, and level this place

[@mzansicarscene]

Once and for all!

[@beulahviljoen9046]

Excellent idea!

[@ididauni166]

The issue is by the looks of it the network of mines and old infrastructure spans so wide and is not completely documented. So by blowing the tunnels closed might only be a patch solution until they find a new way in. Plus, by the looks of it, they can gain access to the old mine tunnels via legitimate access points like sewage manholes and other infrastructure access points.

[@amb549]

True

[@ThobileMakinyane]

the so called human rights , however this is a war

[@Eddie-tn2om]

Love Lourensa Eckard her voice rings of Carte Blanche. Absolutely uniquely brilliant 👌

[@baatile]

Most of the companies that owned these mines are still operating today, what have they done to rehabilitate the land? Nothing. They made their profits and dashed.

[@sheltoncargo4989]

True and nothing is being said about them after collecting all the profits for many years and left nothing for their workers.

[@paulstopforth8910]

Brilliant reporting! Terrifying too! Thanks from a Joburg immigrant in Boston

[@Sharlene711]

The impact of illegal mining has far-reaching consequences. Poverty, desperation and greed as well

[@eleanormaxwell721]

Whatever you are paying that reporter it is too little. Imagine being a resident in those areas.

[@markanthonytavaries5031]

SÁ is being destabilized intentionally, so many problems from so many sides, how do you sort this out

[@IronKore]

It starts with you the public not biting every form of reporting and counting it as truth. They could have interviewed the zama zamas and get their reasoning and also talk about the legal mining companies, and how hard it is for locals to get licensing and equipment. What is really behind this can only be found once real journalism is done. Moving with enforcers from one side says nothing to me because we all should know, such operations can't work on their own, someone higher up is always involved

[@vallivergano239]

Correct. Sabotage

[@DJMORESA]

Thank you for coming to this place we’ve been telling the police about this place but they don’t do anything about it

[@tiyanimabasa9525]

Where's this place?

[@WTG194]

@@tiyanimabasa9525 looks like mooi street offramp on the m2 in Joburg

[@johanduplessis3427]

Come and check out the historic town of Pilgrims Rest, Zama Zama's are destroying the heritage and causing damage to the environment as they mine along the many rivers and streams

[@sylism5086]

Oh no, that’s so sad to hear. I mean that’s one of my favorite places to visit when I’m in Nelspruit.

[@mikesnyman8346]

I took a slow drive into Pilgrims recently.... to revisit the Royal Hotel. Bad idea. Within 3 minutes, I took a fast drive out again.

[@naledidube2654]

Thank you for your bravery to go to measures many wouldn't go Carte Blanche!

[@yvonnecoetzee3508]

I know it is expensive but they should pump quick setting concrete in those tunnels

[@HeinzizBaKeD]

Or mustard gas? Treat it like pest control.

[@lisajansenvanvuuren2232]

Or throw thousands of venomous snakes down there

[@SonicAlcholic]

​@@HeinzizBaKeDyes because that's what their nation is pest I salute you

[@Malvin.k]

believe me the issue of Zama zamas is not a South African problem only it's an African continent problem,but some countries are dealing with the problem differently in Zimbabwe they were given small mines that are monitored away from communities and they are contributing positive to the economy ....l feel they need to do the same or they have to fight with them daily imagine now they have into air guns...they are slowly becoming more dangerous by the day

[@mphorapitsi4756]

Brave Journalism right there. Carte Blance you are special!!!!

[@desireewagner1479]

Excellent reporting ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@KamilYılmaz-y4h]

but who is buying illegal gold from these poor zama zamas.....who is financing it ? i wont suprise if there are some politicians or high ranking officials behind it.....

[@Bluecollarjoe6B9]

This is very much reminiscent of the fighting we did in Afghanistan’s mountainous cave systems and tunnels back in 2012.

[@KingThabiso]

They must use the army if we're serious about solving this issue.

[@ivarschei2104]

And the criminal, clown in the hat, Minister of Police is nowhere to be seen. ANC municipal bigwigs are bound to be running this. !!!!!!!

[@TubeAfrica]

I personally blame Foreign nationals... 2. The entire government for not diagnosing this and acting earlier. 3. the ANC itself for not prioritising this issue. 4. The black majority citizens of South Africa, because fact is the ANC government is leading passive citizens, no matter how great the laws are the people who are employed to enforce are very passive, they don't innovate new solutions to such problems.

[@Chez114]

Harsh, but seemingly true

[@auroraaustralis1254]

Also blame those that vote for the ANC

[@SeanGavin-rf5vd]

What do you expect with a weak spineless coward in charge of the police?

[@Lorraine-u3c]

America USA Anglo-American companies must be blamed for all these destructions. They dug up huge holes during their operations and just abandoned and left the shafts still open. So, now illegal mining criminals make use of those holes to destruct the Joburg infrastructure. ANC government cannot held accountable all those American mining companies that have destructed their country.

[@zeplyn5684]

everyone blames immigrants I blame ANC for letting them in in the first place

[@jacoschlebusch9053]

Excellent journalism. The zama-zama threat spread quite further than Johannesburg though. I am living in Welkom , Frrstate Goldfields and here the threat is even more prevalent and dangarous seeing that active mining operations is encountering zamas on a daily basis. More thorough investigation is needed to be done here. In a sense I think mining houses pursuit of profit and negligence in not properly closing and shutting of abandoned shafts are partly at fault for this problem. No proper reabilitation of old abandoned mining properties.

[@SteveNewbold-l6t]

I noticed explosives from Zambia and Zimbabwe, those Zamas are the bottom of the food chain the top ones are untouchable and it would be of no surprise if the ANC is heavily involved

[@JamesBrown-lq5nn]

This is insane! These people are crippling our infra and government just sits back watching it unfold 😢

[@bongit4204]

Govt is probably involved, is why.

[@Voidy123]

This is exactly what the ANC wants, intelligent people leave the country, dumb people vote ANC..

[@n8440]

It had to be stopped when it started

[@IronKore]

Solving this, starts with you the public not biting every form of reporting and counting it as truth. They could have interviewed the zama zamas and get their reasoning and also talk about the legal mining companies, and how hard it is for locals to get licensing and equipment. How citizens are being duped to participate in such dangerous activity. What is really behind this can only be found once real journalism is done. Moving with enforcers from one side says nothing to me because we all should know, such operations can't work on their own, someone higher up is always involved

[@ADCIC]

You made me think when I was almost sold .. but why is this Sothos dancing with guns? Seems to me that our country is being hijacked by illegal immigrants commiting iilegal crimes regardless of their reason. I also think that there is no solution to this problem. The government has failed and these are the consequences,

[@InstigatorDJ]

Name one instance where the ANC promised something and then DELIVERED? You cant!!

[@jake2172-p2v]

They renamed a couple of towns and streets I would say.

[@BruïnGebakken]

What an extraordinary- may I add - female investigate journalist. Bravo!

[@MopeyFand]

If the ANC wins the next general election in South Africa, the remaining valuable/competent professionals who have yet to leave South Africa, will leave. That will be the end of the competent middle class and competent investment. It will just descend further into chaos fueled by incompetence. It's like South Africa is just regressing to the mean despite all of the technological discoveries that should have improved everything in all industries.

[@ricardozk]

Corruption bro

[@mercyphensulo5570]

How is this allowed out in the open? Unless some authoritative figures are benefiting from all of this.

[@candiceheynscapetowngirl]

Great seeing Carte Blanche

[@deanvanderwesthuizen810]

Upon further research the doucha does not exist,I think it a spelling error meant to say Dushka which is a belt fed heavy machine gun(Russian ) shown is clearly a bolt action rifle so very likely a stolen hunting rifle with scope

[@farhanatoerien3437]

Great documentary WELL DONE ❤❤

[@meirspector1947]

We should pump in concrete to seal the tunnels and support the city fully

[@cobuscoetzee9948]

Gwede Mantash is the culprit just invite him!!!

[@outoppie000]

What beats me is why doesnt govt design a regulated system where ordinary ppl can benefit. Clearly there is still enough for all.

[@TOKOLOSHE100]

Government and the mineral rights both belong to foreign interests, we got what we voted for.

[@DlaminiNomlala-dh7gy]

I wonder what is our government thinking about this situation. well done carteblanche

[@AnneMariYaam]

The question that should be posed is: How much of the money is going into their pockets and how many of them (ANC) are involved ?!

[@ihatelife486]

They don't care

[@vallivergano239]

​@@AnneMariYaam💯

[@nickfzar]

The government is simply not doing enough. Our police force is majorly understaffed, under-equipped and under-trained. We are steered toward a complete collapse of law and order, something the government will only realise when it is likely too late to fix.

[@vallivergano239]

Or perhaps that's the plan

[@heatherjooste4966]

Why does Everything have to get out of control???? Before fixing the problem!;;

[@brucemcdonald8529]

That's part of the plan to destabilise SA. The political party that brings order to the chaos is seen as a saviour, even tho they may be the originators of the chaos.

[@tokosekgothudi9084]

ANC GOVERNMENT DON'T CARE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COUNTRY

[@erniegouws7262]

Criminals can't fight criminals

[@freebird7017]

As long as they can profit from the chaos. Vote for someone else.

[@johnve8327]

How is it possible to destroy such a beautiful country in less than 30 years…. ?

[@bonololo3748]

A common theme across this continent

[@garthharper125]

Underpowered black power

[@SonicAlcholic]

​@@garthharper125oh yes you my friend are right where there is black it's bad news

[@YolandaNgobe]

This is mind boggling. Thank u for this informative documentary

[@partmosemataruse8989]

Missing Derick Watts 😢 but you are doing a great job as well

[@williambaartman6442]

This ANC government has failed this country…., their inability to govern is shameful…..

[@humphreylangeveldt]

Thank you for your amazing work!

[@kevinandilemediahouse]

This is soo sad 😢😢😢 Johannesburg is under threat

[@bobbybill4042]

I bet that the activity involves ANC at some level

[@SonicAlcholic]

Most definitely dude most definitely

[@MsGuppie2010]

Those arrested will get bail and go right back to what they were doing - a never ending cycle

[@disekomotsepe]

If maybe we start calling them by the write name. ZamaZama is someone trying to make a living. These people have pistols bigger and more dangerous than our defense forces. They are will to do crime to continue their criminality

[@lydialotz6460]

we should not complain we asked for this we voted this into place we love this system !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hanudejong655]

Great story! Well done team!

[@Ndunawe53]

The problem with SA is it has alot of civil right groups that prevent the Gov from acting with deadly force.

[@mattm7426]

"A World Class African City"

[@freebird7017]

If it weren’t so heart wrenchingly sad, I would laugh.

[@carolshaik5402]

Was not anymore, dis erg jong 🤨

[@Thimzohx]

Great work Carte Blanche, open the people's eyes.

[@doctrade1]

Im glad someone is doing something about this...

[@Lambman001]

Some one is financing them! But yet the government is doing nothing to stop this!!!

[@TehMr]

They’re making it tougher to deal with society at large

[@dwebaart9933]

Great visuals

[@anjamiddleton9905]

Gerda is such a pillar in the community constantly fighting crime where ever she goes ♡she is the modern-day superwoman

[@gavinshaunbeck5486]

As a south Africa abroad I'm very concern about this situation I got family who has been telling me about during the night how the Zama Zamas walk through the streets to do mining not fare from where the stay in Riverlea near JHB.

[@suhdud4646]

Looks like a scene out of Lord of the Rings and the fiery pits of Mordor.

[@TS-pf9cs]

As long as there is a big receiver at the end buying illegal and marketing it for sale................

[@chafsiz4396]

Who"s arming these guys?..I mean Ak 47"s you cant just buy that anywhere

[@wendykemp4031]

Rhank you for the update on ilegal mining

[@monkybomb_studios]

Thank goodness for all the video of her shoes!

[@tobolee6385]

Thank u eff and anc,,,,

[@kagzo2]

Thank you ANC

[@SO_DIGITAL]

Drawing the chalk line. Very clever.

[@Penuelism]

Lourensa 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 this is brilliant. Traveled to Russia with her last year!

[@standismore5328]

So to understand NUM and COSATU are fine with these herondous working conditions unless provided by organised business?

[@anitasamuels8821]

Who is carrying out these illegal activities and why is the government not doing anything about this?

[@pauldogon2578]

What government? Do we have one?

[@dgraham1949]

The top structure have shares in it point..

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Lorenza is a very brave journalist.💯💯💪🏻✌🏻

[@yvonnecoetzee3508]

I said when this happened that Joburg is busy imploding, Government has to do something here, they have alot of blood on their hands

[@Hellstothenaw]

How do you know the government is not responsible for this? You think the government is going to let anyone just take these resources to sell for themselves? Must be kidding. Where do these ppl get these types of guns? From the government...

[@thejourneywithmo4459]

What's to come in the next decade? SA is gone.

[@chloegrobler4275]

this has mad max vibes.

[@phumezasikawuti3266]

I never knew the impact zama zama had on the infrastructure 😮

[@pollypooleheitha3357]

If not ourselves, who are the people to fight corruption? Corruption is a sickness that can only be cured by a collective participation of law enforcement agencies, committed individuals and with the assistance from companies like Carte Blanche who are determined to combat the evil decease. I hate corruption because it undermines development, social wellbeing of inhabitants, and advances poverty. Together we can overcome corruption. Polly Poole Heitha (Namibia)

[@lfcdurban2716]

Welcome to Mordor

[@darrynwalker268]

Looks like Liverpool

[@dineshanpillay5944]

One does not simply walk into mordor

[@lfcdurban2716]

@@darrynwalker268 🌊

[@einreallife5556]

This reminds me of the gold mafia documentaries aired a few months ago.

[@SlyXClusive]

The government was able to shut down the whole country during covid, but they can't do the same for this?

[@DenverLs-zn2xe]

Are South African Authorities going to allow this to happen until Johannesburg collapses and is completely damaged or are we going to stop this illegal activities sometime sooner than later.. As painful as it may be it has to be stopped.. I'm not sure why it will be painful though