Scores of people took to the streets in Bekkersdal this morning, 5 August, to protest against illegal miners in the area.
This comes after recent reports of illegal miners being chased out of neighbouring communities such as Kagiso and West Village.
Also read: Illegal mining clampdown in the West yields results: Arrests now total 130
The protest was also in response to the arrests of more than 80 zama zamas after eight women who were filming a music video with their crew had been raped.
According to the chanting and singing residents, among them children in school uniform, they have become victims in their own communities due to the high incidence of murder, rape and house robberies. They are attributing these to foreign nationals who are mining illegally in the area.
Also read: Police out on the West Rand to catch the ‘big fish’: Another 40 zama zamas arrested
