LettersOpinion

LETTER: No political will to stop zama zamas

'For years, the so-called zama zamas made the lives of the West Rand citizens a living hell. The police knew about it but did nothing' – resident.

• Thabile Mange writes:

There is no government that can allow illegal miners who are in the country illegally to terrorise its citizens. But the South African government folded its arms and watched whilst illegal miners terrorised its citizens.

For years, the so-called zama zamas made the lives of the West Rand citizens a living hell. They killed, raped and demanded protection fees from citizens. The police knew about it but did nothing.

Also read: Film crew attack: prospects of successfully prosecuting 14 of the accused

In Soul City, Kagiso, zama zamas took spaza shops by force. The non-Sotho speakers who owned spazas were coerced to pay protection fee. They also killed men and raped their women with impunity. Is there a rule of law in this country?

Recently, Kagiso residents took it upon themselves to fight and apprehend the zama zamas. They apprehended more than 10 of them. Subsequently, Munsieville and Mohlakeng residents followed suit and arrested zama zamas.

Then the Minister of Police Bheki Cele and Gauteng Premier David Makhura visited Kagiso. As expected, they made all sorts of promises to stop the crime against citizens. We all know that they were just paying lip service.

Cele and Makhura did not explain why they allowed zama zamas to make the lives of the West Rand citizens a living hell. This shows that they don’t take us seriously. Not only that, they also don’t care.

Also read: Mining companies to blame for illegal mining problem on West Rand – ANC

There is a strong view that our leaders are behind the zama zamas. They use them to dig minerals in unused mines and sell them on the black market. Apparently, they are making a killing. Hence, they protect illegal miners. A Mafia state?

If the above is true, that means the West Rand citizens are on their own. So, they should forget about what Cele and Makhura said. Instead, they should be ready to defend themselves against zama zamas and criminals.

Also read: More cries for justice as 61 illegal miners appear in court again

Also read: Cele orders full SAPS clean-up in the West Rand

Also read: Total arrests on the West Rand stand at 130 following illegal mining clampdown

Also read: #KagisoShutdown: Mayor, police commissioner call for calm

Also read: Mayor explains why things are boiling over in Kagiso: West Village attack added fuel to fire

Also read: West Village film crew attack: Bail application postponed

Also read: West Village film crew attack: 65 arrested, 32 counts of rape being investigated

Also read: WATCH: Mass protest at court following West Village attacks: ‘No bail for rapists’

Also read: Another 40 illegal miners arrested on West Rand: Bheki Cele joined operations

Also read: Illegal miner killed during police sting operation

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Clinton Botha

For more than 4 and a half years, Clinton Botha was a journalist at Roodepoort Record. His articles were regularly published in the Northside Chronicle now known as the Roodepoort Northsider. Clinton is also the editor of Randfontein Herald since July 2020. As a sports fanatic he wormed his way into various "beats - as the media would know it - and admits openly that his big love always have something to do with a scoreboard, crowds and usually a ball that hops.
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