Desperate unemployed residents from Ermelo turned to illegal mining as a way to provide for their families.
These illegal miners are more commonly known as Zama Zamas, which in Zulu means “Try Try”.
They are known to be aggressive and violent.
One of the mine workers, who go by the name ‘Chuck Norris’, told the Highvelder that more than 4 000 people are working on the mines on the N11.
Some of these workers have previously worked at a mine while the rest have no qualifications in the mining industry.
Khuthala Environmental Group have set their minds to assist these miners in legalising the mines instead of closing them down.
Read the complete article about the Zama Zamas in the Highvelder newspaper.
