The old Vlakfontein shaft five mine is infamous and despite many calls from residents for something to be done, the situation remains unchanged.
The disused mine, located on the corner of Kgaswane and Joe Mzamane Streets, is alleged to be a breeding ground for all sorts of illegal activities.
Ward 80 councillor Dora Mlambo said people can be seen on a daily basis chipping at the walls to get the steel re-enforcement, which are then sold at scrapyards.
She added shaft five has been included in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for many years.
“The IDP identified the mine as going to be demolished,” said Mlambo.
The abandoned mine rests a few metres from two schools and a residential area, and residents such as Themba Mkhize, say they fear for the lives of children who play in the mine.
“The deep holes and stagnant water worries me as I fear for people’s lives and saftey,” added Themba.
Not everyone is unhappy with the existence of shaft five, Thabo Dlamini (32) said the old mine has been his source of income since 2010.
He said while he works on the steel, he often sees high school learners using the area to engage in sexual activities, while Nyaope smokers use the area as their smoking place.
Another resident, Magdeline Mabangane, says she is still haunted by the rape of a girl two months ago.
“Holding that girl in my arms, while she had tears flowing from one eye really hurt me,” explained Magdeline.
She said the girl was part of a group that was robbed at gunpoint, while they had a photo shoot in the area.
“Thieves go and steal from people and use this mine as their hideout spot, clothes and cables littered everywhere,” she concluded.
However, KwaThema Police Captain Mandla Phori said the police were unaware of criminal activities happening in the area as they have no record of cases opened.
According to Phori, even the rape and robbery which is alleged to have happened two months ago, was not reported.
*The metro did not comment at the time of going to print.
