Zamimpilo Informal Settlement has been having an on-going problem with illegal mining.
Last week two bodies were retrieved from a collapsed shaft
This weekend two bodies were also retrieved by police after another shaft collapsed.
According to witnesses and one of the illegal miners, Collin Mphao, there were originally four miners killed during the incident.
“Two bodies were retrieved in the dead of night by the miners, we wanted to take the bodies to the families of the deceased,” said Mphao.
Albram Kganyago a community leader of the settlement said, “These miners haven’t stopped since the last bodies were retrieved from the shaft.”
Warrant officer Gordon Billings from the Langlaate Police Station said, “We have already met with Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) as this man hole belongs to JRA.
“We are waiting for their response to the plan to close the hole.
Collin Mphao who is a professional painter, couldn’t find any painting work and had to consider becoming a miner.
“I know this is dangerous but my family needs to eat.
The shaft runs for about eight to ten kilometres according to the miners.
The number of bodies retrieved to date is five according to Billings.
“These miners can’t be stopped as the police visibility hasn’t increased and what can us as residents do because these miners carry weapons,” said Kganyago.
