Mogale City in a zama zama grip

Illegal mining has become an endless nightmare for residents of Mogale City.

Recent illegal mining activity has not only led to a section of Windsor Road collapsing but also damaged infrastructure, such as water pipes which is now affecting water supply. Although Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) announced a crackdown on illegal mining early last month, the road has been closed for months to complete much-needed repairs. Plans to reopen Windsor Road have also been halted.

In a recent update about the situation, MMC for Utility Management Services Peter Modise said the extent of the damage to the water pipeline could lead to the whole municipality going without water in the future. Maintenance is thus crucial at this stage.

• Also read: Windsor Road collapse and illegal mining: Bad news regarding water supply

“The illegal miners unearthed the water pipes from the ground. As a result, the impact of the knocks that the pipes took will eventually make the pipe burst and will result in an uncontrollable water leakage.”

Through an investigation, it came to the attention of the MCLM’s Water Department that very low water pressure to no water was found due to a pipe being vandalised in an open space adjacent to Station Road in Luipaardsvlei. It’s said illegal miners are also active in that area and it was confirmed by MCLM that it would be unsafe for technicians to carry out repairs.

Chairperson of the Strategic and Tactical Operations Response Management (Storm) committee in Mogale City, Mark Trump, confirmed that private security and law enforcement came to conduct an investigation and oversight in the area to see the extent of the damage done.

“After the oversight and strategy planning, an operation and repair work were carried out on September 13. We carried out the operation with the local police, National Crime Assist, and Mogale City’s Public Safety By-Law Enforcement Unit. The area was cleared of illegal miners and the water department teams could move in to safely repair the pipe,” Mark said.

• Also read: Illegal miners back to haunt Windsor Road; section of road collapses

This has, however, not completely stopped illegal miners from digging up the street in search of gold and the consequences to infrastructure will haunt Mogale City in the future.

“Illegal miners still plague the area and continue to be a threat to MCLM infrastructure. The concerns were raised to the police’s Mining Crime Combatting Forum to assist with further operations in the area in an attempt to prevent this vandalism from happening again,” Trump added.

Residents have also voiced their concerns over repair work on Windsor Road and fear for their lives due to the illegal activities taking place.

Monica van Loggerenberg lives near Windsor Road in fear and said the damage to her property caused by explosions is extensive.

“I am very concerned for my family. There are more and more sinkholes appearing which could be fatal and catastrophic, not just for my family but every person living on this property. The wall around the property is badly cracked and unsafe because of ongoing tremors due to blasting activity nearby,” Van Loggerenberg said.

Another resident who lives near Windsor Road, Victoria Lapham also voiced her concerns.

“We have had illegal mining activity in the area for years. When Mogale City closed the road for resurfacing in March, the zama zamas started mining waste rock out of the roadbed near the Paardekraal intersection. Due to little traffic on the road, they were able to mine out about 50m of the road. It’s such an inconvenience for everyone travelling on the road because we have to do a long detour around through Luipaard Street to go in the Roodepoort direction and taxis and school transports don’t come into the area because it is not on a through-route,” Lapham said.

The News approached MCLM to provide clarity as to why the resurfacing and reopening of the road has been delayed for so long.

MCLM communications officer Refilwe Mahlangu stated, “The reason for the delay is due to illegal mining activity in the area, disruptions by business forums and local community due to payment disputes between the contractor and sub-contractors as well as cashflow challenges. A lengthy way leave approval processes from Rand Water to perform work on the road in proximity of water pipelines is also needed before any action is taken on the resurfacing of the road.”

Mahlangu also confirmed that the issue of illegal mining falls outside the jurisdiction of the municipality and the matter has been escalated to the police.

“Illegal mining is a national scourge and has been escalated to national government by local and provincial authorities. As reported widely in the media, the government is looking into ways of eradicating illegal mining which is costing the country’s economy billions of rands,” Mahlungu added.

Mahlangu responded to the contingency plans put in place to ensure that there is no risk of a water shutdown due to the vandalising of the water pipes because of illegal mining and when can residents expect the completion of Windsor Road.

“The exposed underground bulk water supply pipe belongs to Rand Water and once this risk was discovered, our bulk water supplier was immediately made aware of this threat. They have therefore since and in the event of damage as owners of the infrastructure assume responsibility for it. As for the road residents can expect repairs to be completed before the end of October this year,” Mahlangu added.

There is no doubt that illegal mining activity continues to remain a major challenge for the powers at be and the community at large.