Senseless killings strike a tourist rich village after founding “new gold”
Five people were killed and two others injured over what locals refer to as "new gold".
The once-quiet village in Matibidi has now, according to residents, turned into a war zone as illegal miners fight in violent outbreaks armed with guns and knives. The village is situated 80 kilometres from Lydenburg near the Three Rondavels, the Potholes and other tourist attractions. Two groups of men are apparently responsible for the battles raging here.
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Luphert Chilwane owns a property in the village, but resides in Johan-nesburg. When he returned home for the weekend, he was informed of the chaos that erupted due to illegal mining.
“As I understand it, it is all about illegal mining,” he told Steelburger/Lydenburg News. “A group of men from Lesotho claim they have found gold and want to mine in the mountains illegally.”
According to him and other anony-mous sources, the Lesotho clan is clashing with locals in the area. He claimed that they fight one another in the streets for the rights to mine, even if it is illegal. Chilwane added that it has now reached a point where these groups have begun stabbing and shooting at members of the other groups, even in broad daylight.
“They (the two groups) have been mining illegally for more than a year and unemployed locals are being recruited in the process. They claim that they have found gold,” said Chilwane.
According to him, locals have become too scared to report these crimes. An anonymous source came forward and told the newspaper that some locals are against the mining activities, while others are eager to also have their chance at the alleged gold mines. This causes conflict not only between the two groups, but among residents as well.
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The mountain where the mining activity is taking place, is now being guarded by armed security in an effort to stop all illegal mining. Chilwane said tourism in the area has been badly affected by recent violence.
Capt Phillipus Masete, from the Dientjie Police Station, stated that they are not allowed to comment on the matter, as it is still under investigation.
