Journalists asked to leave zama zama hotspot
The operation to bring an end to illegal mining is in full swing
The illegal mining operation Vala Mgodi (Close the Holes), aimed at bringing an end to zama zama activities at disused shafts in Golden Drive, officially kicked off today (January 27).
Just after 08:00 this morning, the Benoni City Times headed to the affected area to report on the operation, which is set to continue until March 31.
After seemingly fruitless efforts to locate stakeholders, including Gauteng Provincial SAPS, the SANDF and representatives of the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMR), the team managed to merge with a convoy heading directly to an area referred to as ‘zama zama village’.
We found the area, usually teaming with vendors in rickety structures who supply miners with food, beverages, medical supplies and even airtime and sim cards, was now occupied by armed SANDF members wearing camo face masks.
While a grader operator set to work levelling the ground next to a cargo container, a member of the task team, who wished to remain anonymous, promptly instructed the City Times, that no photos or videos may be taken.
“The illegal miners were issued with a notice of the intention to bring their operations to a halt. During the three-month deployment in the area, miners will be required to cease operations and surface,” he said.
“Tools and equipment will be confiscated and anyone found on the wrong side of the law will be arrested. Work will then commence to close the holes and rehabilitate the area.”
The person we spoke to said due to the volatile nature of the operation, no civilians were allowed access.
“To ensure the safety of everyone involved and given the unpredictability of the situation, all necessary precautions must be taken,” he said.
The City Times journalists were then escorted to a safe zone, just outside the Formula K Raceway, where a representative of DMR was said to meet with us to provide further information.
Following nearly an hour’s wait, the journalists were eventually told none of the stakeholders would be entertaining any media enquiries at this stage, only confirming that the operation started as scheduled.
We were requested to direct our enquiries to DMR. Attempts to reach the correct person were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Illegal mining in Benoni: Operation Close the Holes is here
ALSO READ: Police destroy zama zama tools
