Five power stations are blown up as tensions rise during WWII

Five power stations are blown up by pro-Axis power saboteurs in an attempt to destabilise the Rand gold mines. During the Second World War supporters of the Axis powers (Germany, Japan) came into conflict with the South African government, who supported the Allied forces led by Britain, France, the Soviet Union and the United States of America.

The conflict was a result of old feelings of kinship between many Afrikaners and Germany, not only because many Afrikaners have German blood, but also because of the latter country's support for the Boers during the Anglo-Boer War. The pro-German or pro-Axis groups resented the government's (led by Prime Minister Jan Smuts) decision to support the Allies, because of the previous conflict between the Boers and the British.