WATCH: CoJ oversight exposes road damage and safety risks caused by illegal mining
An oversight visit in Booysens, Selby and the CBD exposed damaged roads, a dangerous sinkhole and business break-ins linked to zama zama activity.
An oversight visit was conducted by the City of Johannesburg in Region F, Johannesburg, on May 25.
The oversight was conducted by MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene and took place in Booysens and Selby.
The main aim was to uncover illegal mining operations in these areas and to find solutions to remove them.
@southern.courier An oversight visit revealed damaged infrastructure, a major sinkhole and business-related crime linked to zama zama activity. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
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The operation revealed the extensive damage and safety hazards caused by illegal mining, with infrastructure, businesses, and residents all feeling the impact.
MMC Kenny Kunene led the inspection to assess how ongoing illegal operations are undermining road networks and public safety in the area.
ALSO READ: Zama zamas arrested during joint operation in Kibler Park
The visit went through John Street in Booysens and Webber Street in Selby, where active illegal mining continues to compromise the road surface and structure.
The second stop was Quellerie Street at Witpoortjie Estate, where officials found a massive sinkhole directly linked to underground mining activity.
The sinkhole poses an immediate danger to nearby homes and properties.
@southern.courier An oversight visit in Booysens, Selby and the CBD exposed damaged roads, a dangerous sinkhole and business break-ins linked to zama zama activity. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
The final stop was Albertina Sisulu Road in the CBD. There, illegal miners (zama zama) had tunnelled beneath a butchery and entered through the floor foundation, stealing goods from the business.
“These incidents are not isolated. They show a clear pattern of how illegal mining is destroying our roads, threatening lives, and targeting businesses that keep our economy running,” said MMC Kenny Kunene.
“We cannot allow criminal networks to operate with impunity underground while residents above ground pay the price. Foreigners are being allowed to destroy our country and calling it a means to survive. City departments, SAPS, and national authorities must work together now to shut down these operations and restore safety in Johannesburg.”
“The scourge of illegal mines is being directly attributed to the influx of foreign nationals into Johannesburg.”
ALSO READ: Illegal mining raided by Mondeor SAPS
The incidents underscore the urgent need for coordinated enforcement and remediation to protect infrastructure, businesses, and communities from further harm.
