Zama zamas are at it again: one arrest made so far

Zama zamas are at it again and the News can confirm that one arrest was made during a joint operation between the Krugersdorp Police and Mogale City’s Strategic and Tactical Operations Response Management (Storm) committee at a site along Windsor Road on Wednesday, October 12.

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“Zama zamas [illegal miners] have returned to the site, not just at Windsor Road, but also at Wentworth Park along the railway lines,” said councillor Mark Trump.

He added, “Krugersdorp Police and Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) have forged a good working relationship and continue to role out action targeting the areas where zama zamas are. Krugersdorp Police have also formed the Mining Crime Combatting Forum (MCCF). This forum includes councillors, the Community Policing Forum, private security companies, mining companies and other relevant stakeholders. The purpose of the forum is to come up with sustainable solutions and measures to prevent zama zama activity and the crimes that come with their presence in an area.”

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Earlier this year, Windsor Road had collapsed due to illegal mining activities and during his first state of the city address in June this year, MCLM Executive Mayor Councillor Tyrone Gray said the department established relationships with local businesses and collaborated with them to repair and resurface the road.

Several months down the line, our worst nightmares seem to be coming true again.

After having enquired about social media posts where open trenches/ tunnels have resurfaced at more or less the same spot along Windsor Road due to illegal mining activities that led to the road collapsing months ago, MCLM Manager for Roads and Transport Andre Botes confirmed it is indeed due to illegal zama zama activities again.

“The roads division deals with road and stormwater maintenance and construction matters but not law enforcement work such as policing and security. As this is again affecting the municipality’s infrastructure it will be important for law enforcement authorities to act swiftly on these illegal activities before we will be able to assist in covering up the referred to open trenches/ tunnels.”