Zama zamas are synonymous with violence and senseless killings, and they do more damage to the environment and the community than one can imagine.
Zama zama, which loosely translates to ‘trying your luck’, usually involve a group of people who descend on old and abandoned mines to scrape for ore-bearing minerals to sell on the black market.
James Wellsted, Senior Vice President: Investor Relations of SibanyeStillwater said anyone who has no mining licence or no mining rights is prohibited by law from possessing unrefined gold or uncut diamonds.
“This long-standing law has been around for decades,” Wellsted added.
He said when illegal miners go underground they also strip shafts of copper cables and steel, and in the process the miners face major risks to their lives as they do not have the proper equipment to operate.
Also read: VIDEO: Bodies found in Toekies – community in shock
“The problem is that they do not go into abandoned mines only – they also move into our operating mines by either entering through old shafts, bribing people or stealing our miners’ access cards.”
He said illegal miners go underground without complying with any health and safety regulations, or proper equipment for support, unlike legitimate mining companies that always ensure that workers are protected.
“This includes making sure that there is light, electricity and ventilation, as it is extremely hot underground.”
Wellsted added that zama zamas live underground for days and only resurface after blasting rocks to pieces. They also face the risks of being killed by rival groups that want to rob them of the ore they have mined.
He said the illegal mining operations also pose a threat to the well-being of the environment as dangerous chemicals and compounds are used when minerals are removed from the ore, which have a negative impact on water sources.
Wellsted said the high unemployment rate leads to illegal mining, and is mostly driven by high-end criminal cartels that use foreign nationals who are armed and dangerous to the surrounding communities.
He said they have made efforts to minimise the operations by educating communities about the dangers of illegal mining, and have invested hundreds of millions of rand in their security personnel. He believes once government and law-enforcement agencies are fully on board, they will eradicate illegal mining.
On Friday, 19 March, three bodies of illegal miners were discovered in Toekomsrus.
Read here: Three bodies of suspected zama-zamas found in Toekomsrus
According to Sergeant Carmen Hendricks, the Randfontein Police spokesperson, the matter is still under investigation, but at this stage police can’t confirm whether there was any foul play. Illegal miners often engage in turf wars; resulting in bloodbaths.
Sergeant Hendricks continued to say that community members living near illegal mining operations often report incidents such as rape, robbery and murder.
“People are constantly living in fear because of the zama zamas,” Hendricks said.
She reassured the community that police have joined forces with other law-enforcement agencies in efforts to eradicate the problems.
Anyone with information pertaining to the death of the three men can contact the Randfontein Police on 011 414 4992, 011 412 7666 and 071 675 7094, or make use of the My SAPS app. You can also contact the Crime Stop Number on 0860 010 111 to report crime anonymously.
