At least three shots were fired this past Friday when the police and its various units, as well as the Metro Police launched a massive operation against illegal mining.
It kicked off at about 9am with heavily armed policemen and -women quietly blocking all exits around the piece of land between Gustaf Street and Miles Stoker Road, awaiting the arrival of the Mounted Unit and a police helicopter. As soon as the helicopter arrived more than a hundred police officers pounced on the various shafts used by the Zama Zamas (illegal miners). At least three shots were fired as police arrested multiple fleeing Zama Zamas. A misunderstanding led to two groups of police going to different locations where illegal miners are active. Because of this and the illegal miners spotting the helicopter, they managed to escape arrest. Therefore the second phase of the operation could not be completed successfully.
Over and above the arrests, explosives, detonators and other equipment used for illegal mining were confiscated. Colonel André Laing explained that the detonators that are imported from Brazil find their way to South Africa via Zimbabwe. He also said the illegal miners buy one stick of dynamite and one detonator for R25 from legal miners, who steal it from the mines they are employed at, but the Zama Zamas resell it to their ‘colleagues’ at R250 a set.
The police also searched the shacks next to Randfontein Road where the illegal miners are known to hide, sleep and stash their equipment as well as gold powder. They made no arrests here but did confiscate more equipment.
The operation came in the wake of two murders in the area last week. At first police thought it was the usual crime but their investigations showed that a new group of illegal miners have posted guards at the shaft openings and are charging others to enter. It is believed that a dispute ensued between the different factions that led to the shooting and consequently the murders. The illegal miners are allegedly also robbing residents who use the veld as a thoroughfare.
The police have posted warnings to the at all the shafts to evacuate them before next Friday. The shafts will then be sealed and those who remain inside will do so at their own peril.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
Also read:
Police continues fighting illegal mining
Another blow for illegal mining
Illegal mining ravaging Durban Deep
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