Illegal mining threat

The suburb, which has several defunct mine shafts in close proximity, has become the latest area in Brakpan to see an influx of illegal miners or zama zamas.

According to information received from the Dalpark Extension One Residents Association, the neighbourhood has seen a sharp rise in thefts, with mostly garden furniture and equipment being stolen, due to the illegal mining activities.

“The activity is so far advanced in our area that we can see that vehicles are continuously driving to shafts to collect the ore being collected from these miners,” said a spokesperson for the association.

“It’s a very serious situation and we need to stop it as soon as possible.”

The association’s committee recently investigated reports of activity seen on the western side of the suburb and found numerous tunnels leading into the ground.

These tunnels have been excavated despite the various authorities’ efforts to prevent any illegal activities from taking place.

Several open shafts in the area were sealed last year.

“To our horror we discovered that the area all around the shafts has been taken over by illegal miners, with these tunnels leading into the main vertical shafts that seemed to be so well sealed,” said the spokesperson.

Accompanied by Christo Brits, from the suburb’s onsite security company, the Herald visited the area on Tuesday morning.

The illegal mining site is a mere five minutes drive from Dalpark Extension One, and the suburb’s perimeter fencing and several houses were in full view from this location in the veld.

A man with a spade — presumably one of the miners — was seen observing the visit from a nearby tree line, and voices could be heard in the distance.

Brits pointed out three areas in the immediate vicinity where the miners are active and the Herald spotted a large plastic sieve, trowels and other equipment.

The miners are believed to be living underground.

An immense concrete and brick structure, the purpose of which is unknown, has also been earmarked by the miners and most of the concrete has been gouged out.

“Maybe they think there is something in there,” said Brits, adding that the “building” is on the verge of collapse.

Brits told the Herald that at least eight miners are operating in the area and confirmed that a truck is often seen leaving and entering the area.

“There is no doubt that the increase in crime in Dalpark Extension One is linked to what’s happening here,” he said.

“They mine during the day and break in at night.”

The Residents Association believes the miners’ presence in the area is a serious threat.

“This type of activity around suburban areas leads to all kinds of other challenges and risks,” said the spokesperson.

“As an example, different groups fighting for territory are believed to have led to the death of miners in Benoni, all shot execution-style.

“Can you imagine the devastating effect it would have on our community if we have these types of local wars so close to our homes and families?

“The longer they are allowed to mine, the greater the challenge becomes to have them removed.”

It has been widely reported that illegal mining is well organised and that many zama zamas work for professional criminal syndicates.

This often leads to violent “turf wars”.

In other instances, as reported on the Herald’s front page, last week, illegal miners will do almost anything to get their hands on gold (‘I’ve lost everything’, July 18).

The Herald highlighted how illegal miners destroyed everything belonging to Johan Janse van Rensburg, the owner of the former Brakpan pay offices of Sallies Mines.

Janse van Rensburg’s property was targeted by zama zamas and his losses are calculated to be in the millions.

He has been attacked and shot at, had his home torched and had numerous possessions, including his beautiful horse-drawn carriages, stolen or set alight.

Forty-seven of his horses were killed.

The search for gold was also the draw card for the initial inhabitants of Plastic City.

The first residents of this now notorious informal settlement, along Main Reef Road, were illegal miners looking for gold.

The Herald first reported on these zama zamas in August 2009, when they started excavating giant holes along the side of the road, in order to sift the soil for gold.

With this in mind, action against the illegal miners in Dalpark Extension One must be taken soon.

Shauné le Roux, the DA councillor for ward 31, under which the suburb falls, is taking steps to try to resolve the problem.

“I sent through a query to the CCA manager on July 9 already, and I’m still awaiting feedback,” she said.

“Council is just not forthcoming.”

According to WO Lucia Govender, from the Brakpan SAPS, local police are aware of the illegal miners and are planning operations to address the issue soon.