Some residents of Riverlea and other surrounding areas have criticized yesterday’s illegal mining imbizo held by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele saying it was another talk shop and won’t bring any permanent changes in their area that has been invaded by illegal miners.
Following recent deaths of five suspected illegal miners and the violent gun violence between the warring factions fighting turf wars, Rivelear residents took to the streets in protests against what they said were a lack of police action in dealing with the scourge.
Cele was forced to come to the area where he promised to deploy different police units to deal with the heavily armed members of illegal miners commonly referred to as Zama-Zamas.
Cele said the additional police deployment in the Riverlea area has so far resulted in the arrest of over 190 suspects, the majority of them are undocumented persons.
“Police have since recovered scores of illegal firearms, ammunition, stolen property, explosives, gas cylinders and other tools commonly used during illegal mining activities”.
Cele said these policing operations are but one part of the plan to end illegal mining.
“Arresting illegal miners is not the solution to end this well-funded and well-organised crime. Police are on the ground to stabilise the area so that other departments can come in and work to permanently close off mines and also attend to some of the social issues that exist in this area that are drivers of crime.
“It is encouraging that the Hawks have arrested almost 90 suspects who police believe are the handlers of these Zama-Zamas and are middle and top players in the web of illegal mining.” Cele concluded.
Security Cluster Ministers are scheduled to further deliberate on Illicit mining in a meeting scheduled with President Cyril Ramaphosa this weekend.
The residents speak of trauma caused by a fear for their lives especially those who find themselves on the streets at dawn and dusk. Riverlea community police patroller Keketso Mokhetoa said their efforts to protect the area are never recognised.
“We need counseling as patrollers, our work needs to be acknowledged, because we are the ones that respond first after the incidents before the police.
“We work harder than the police, we get injuries more than any other police men. But when you get home you have nothing to show to your child except to say another child was killed in the street.”
Another resident Patrick Japhter accused police of taking bribes and suggested the Langlaagte Police Station should be closed because it doesn’t serve the people.
“Everyday the Zama-Zamas are entering the mine in front of Langlaagte Police Station and the police do nothing about it. They are taking bribes in Zami Mpilo. “I don’t know what they’re employed for. I wish the government would just remove all of you.”
Japhter said residents were forced to sleep early to avoid being hit by flying bullets.
“In Zami Mpilo residents sleep at 5pm. You have to make sure to cook at 4pm and by 5pm you are done and your children have eaten. What kind of life is this,”? He asked.
Nelly Nkalutshane from Pennyville called for the relocation of Zami Mpilo Informal Settlement.
“Zami Mpilo must go. That is not negotiable if there are South Africans there,the Department of Human Settlements must find a place for them. We are not going to solve the problem if Zami Mpilo is still there, when the zama-zamas are killing each other they are running into our own yards we are not safe in our yards,”
Zami Mpilo resident Eric Memela said they want to be removed to Fleurhof RDP houses. “I’m tired of staying in Zami Mpilo please remove me, I just need the house in Fleurhof,” he pleaded.
