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Zama zamas ruin residents' lives

FILE PICTURE: An illegal miner from Lesotho at a work-station where they search for gold in a pile of soil brought from a disused mine
FILE PICTURE: An illegal miner from Lesotho at a work-station where they search for gold in a pile of soil brought from a disused mine

When night falls, residents of Skoomplaas in Springs, Ekurhuleni, make their beds on the floor to avoid being hit by stray bullets from illegal miners.

And, in the morning, they walk in pairs to escort their children to school fearing attacks by illegal Lesotho miners, also known as zama zamas. This fear has gripped the community staying in the old quarters for ex-employees of Grootvlei Aurora Mine since last week when 15 people were killed in a gun battle.

Residents said this was the highest number of casualties since the zama zamas took over control of this disused mine in 2012.

"We hardly sleep at night out of fear," said Jerry Aphane, chairman of the local community committee. "Although the floor is not comfortable to sleep on, it's better than not waking up the next morning because of stray bullets."

Skoomplaas comprises 45 households. Most of the residents have not been able to find employment since Grootvlei Aurora Mine closed shop in 2010.

This after its owners, President Jacob Zuma's nephew Khulubuse Zuma and former president Nelson Mandela's grandson Zondwa Mandela, experienced financial problems.

Most residents rely on social grants while others run small businesses from their homes.

When Zuma and Mandela left, they also shut down the electricity and water supply to Skoomplaas.

Ekurhuleni municipality now provides the community with communal taps and toilets.

 

Following last week's shooting, the community has managed to persuade the government to build them a high fence around the residential area and to provide them with a24-hour protection service by a private company.

They have also armed themselves with whistles that they blow during emergencies. Despite their financial challenges, each resident paid R35 to get an access card to allow them into the quarters.

There are three gates around the quarters, which close from 6pm until 6am. Only people with access cards are allowed inside between these times.

A resident, who only identified herself as Dineo, said she has lived there for more than 10 years and accused zama zamas of disturbing their lives.

"They rob us and rape people that they catch wandering about outside the residential parameters. We have to escort our children to school and walk in pairs to limit chances of being attacked," she said.

Lesotho consulate-general Tumisang Mokoai said pictures of the deceased miners will be circulated at police stations in Lesotho for families to identify them.

 

sifilel@sowetan.co.za

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