The illegal miners have machines helping them, drilling and removing water from the excavated mining tunnels.
As can be seen from the vehicles at the site, these are definitely organised syndicates as the persons with these vehicles must be either buyers or supplying the infrastructure.
One other glaring fact is, that, when I approached them, they were not scared and did not attempt to run away, indicating that they must have police or traffic officers protecting them (especially as there are regular speed traps along this piece of road, scarcely 200m from the mining site).
If I look at the scale of the operation and the difficulty in removing it or fleeing before law enforcement will be able to pounce, it also indicates a level of law enforcement protection.
I have witnessed at least 36 such sites on the section of Main Reef Road between Brakpan and Benoni (as well as illegal construction dumping across from the new townhouse development at McKenzie Park on Main Reef Road, Benoni — the rubble of the development gets dumped just across the road from where the SAPS K9 unit operates) and on the side of the R23, between Main Reef Road and the Snake Road on-ramp.
These are all cause for concern as it will eventually cause sink-holes to form, pollution of water resources and fighting between the different illegal mining syndicates.
