Clay diggers creating a ‘hole’ lot of problems for Rynfield residents

Residents of Rynfield, especially those bordering the wetland along Malherbe Road and Back Street, have raised concerns of suspected ‘illegal mining’ taking place on their doorstep.

“Shortly after the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were lifted, I started noticing activity around the wetland,” said Jan Jordaan, chairperson of Rynfield Estates.

“People were being dropped off in the dead of night and again collected in the early morning hours. They could be seen loading heavy bags onto the back of a bakkie.

“That is when we noticed gaping excavations forming along Malherbe Road.”

Lionel Marks, owner of SuperCops, confirmed this, saying that in recent years, clay-diggers, mostly women from Mozambique and Zimbabwe, have been caught in the act.

“Using makeshift pumps made from washing machines, water in the holes is aerated to force the desired clay to the surface,” said Marks.

“When we apprehend the suspects we do not get the necessary support from the police. Officers often respond by saying that they cannot charge culprits for stealing mud.

“The fact that they are trespassing and in some instances are in contravention of the immigration act is being wholly ignored.”

Marks continued by saying that no increase in crime has been noted in the area, since the diggers’ arrival.

According to Ward 27 Clr Lornette Joseph, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) is aware of the situation but cannot intervene as the wetland and the surrounding area is private property.

She explained that the phenomenon is known as clay-digging and that it is not associated with illegal mining or zama zama activities.

“Information indicates that traditional healers use clay harvested from the wetland for its rich medicinal properties,” she said.

“It is sold predominantly in the CBD and is mostly used by pregnant women or applied to the face and skin.

“Although the ‘collectors’’ actions are illegal, seeing that they are trespassing on private property, we currently have no reason to believe that these actions will morph into full-blown illegal mining operations.”

Development of the wetland
An application by Eddie Pokroy, a property developer from Johannesburg, for the purchase of the 16 hectares of wetland was approved in 2023.

However, given the rich natural biodiversity, permission was only granted for a portion of the property to be developed, with the wetland being incorporated into the aesthetics.

Briefly speaking to the Benoni City Times, Pokroy said that he is awaiting final approval from the CoE in order for marketing of the estate to kick into gear.

“I am aware of the issue of the clay-digging and, to the best of my ability, fenced the area off to deter these activities,” he said.

“I have further enlisted the services of SuperCops and 24-hour monitored CCTV cameras have been erected as an additional security measure. I hope that these practices will come to an end as soon as we break ground.”

Pieter Botha, professional planner of Planit Solutions and member of the South African Council for Planners, confirmed that all documentation relating to Pokroy’s development has been submitted to the relevant council departments and once the area has been proclaimed, development of the site can proceed.

“It must be noted that the developer has already undertaken certain remedial steps, which include erecting fencing around the property in an effort to deter clay miners from gaining access while ecological undertakings included the removal of invasive black wattles from the area,” said Botha.

“The final hurdle relates to the signing of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the CoE and the developer.

The application thereof was submitted in February.

Joseph said that although she is not a keen supporter of developments in sensitive ecological areas, such as wetlands, she supported Pokroy’s initial application.

“The development not only promises to be environmentally sustainable but will preserve the natural biodiversity of the wetland,” she said.

“I believe that once the development takes flight, the illegal acquisition of the mineral-rich clay will cease, and residents can rest easy.”

Marks reaffirmed his commitment and efforts to prevent these diggers from further extending gaping excavations.

“Residents are rightfully fearful of the encroachment. We are all aware of how potentially illegal activities can spiral out of control,” he said.

“Our trained staff monitors the cameras, and security personnel are deployed as soon as movement is detected.

“The diggers are, however, crafty and have found ways to enter the area undetected. We are therefore appealing to the community to report suspicious movements to our control room, on 0861 747 2677.”

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