• Raliphi Master Push Xolelizwe from Chief Mogale Ward 36 writes:

On Sunday August 7, residents of Kagiso were given the opportunity to speak about their concerns and make suggestions.

Also read: LETTER: No political will to stop zama zamas

It was the second leg of the crime-combating mass meeting with the community at the Kagiso Sports Complex, a community Imbizo also attended by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and the Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Elias Mawela. Also in attendance were Police Deputy Minister Cassel Mathole, Gauteng Premier David Makhura, Home Affairs director general Thomas Sigama, and Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko.

Even the ANC national organiser and national executive committee member (NEC) Nomvula Mokonyane were spotted amongst the crowd by Gauteng Premier David Makhura.

The Imbizo started on an emotional note with the community voicing their anger at Police Minister Bheki Cele and his delegation. Donald Xolelo Molefe, ANC Youth League chairperson of the Abbasia Nkoe branch in Ward 10 at Kagiso is spot-on in calling for the nationalisation of mines.

He is articulating ANC policy as enshrined in the Freedom Charter. The ANC only halted the implementation of the nationalisation policy as a tactical detour when it took over the government.

This was due to the unfavourable conditions that existed at the time, a time characterised by the collapse of the Soviet block, capitalist triumphalism and a unipolar world.

Donald is right to ask, given the changing international political economy and balance of forces. Why is it right when the US nationalises its financial system but wrong for South Africa to do the same with its mineral wealth?

Cele then took the podium addressing the residents of Kagiso and the adjacent Tshepisong in Roodepoort, saying that the DNA tests of almost 100 illegal miners arrested for the rape of eight women a fortnight ago have been completed and that they were now being compared with the suspects.

Also read: Film crew attack: prospects of successfully prosecuting 14 of the accused

To our understanding, the country has a huge DNA backlog that will take years to clear. The victims now have to wait for those results or try to take the case to trial with the existing circumstantial evidence, which is almost certain to result in an acquittal.

If a 19-year-old from Alexandria, Johannesburg who identified her perpetrator and had evidence of sexual assault could not get justice it is unlikely that there can be justice in a case where the victims cannot even identify their perpetrators who were wearing balaclavas.

Those DNA tests are the only chance of justice, and even then, it is not guaranteed because cases with more than forensic evidence have led to acquittals or very short sentences for the perpetrators. We have seen it with many cases.

For the sake of those eight women; for the sake of all women, may this not happen in this case.

Also read: More cries for justice as 61 illegal miners appear in court again

Also read: Cele orders full SAPS clean-up in the West Rand

Also read: Total arrests on the West Rand stand at 130 following illegal mining clampdown

Also read: #KagisoShutdown: Mayor, police commissioner call for calm

Also read: Mayor explains why things are boiling over in Kagiso: West Village attack added fuel to fire

Also read: West Village film crew attack: Bail application postponed

Also read: West Village film crew attack: 65 arrested, 32 counts of rape being investigated

Also read: WATCH: Mass protest at court following West Village attacks: ‘No bail for rapists’

Also read: Another 40 illegal miners arrested on West Rand: Bheki Cele joined operations

Also read: Illegal miner killed during police sting operation