Traffic was brought to a standstill this morning after residents from across Rand West City in Johannesburg shut down numerous entrances and exit points in parts of town.  Specifically, Main Road in Finsbury and the R28 towards Mohlakeng were affected.

The protests are about illegal mining activity and illegal miners on the West Rand.

The community says they wanted to show solidarity with residents from neighbouring communities such as Kagiso and West Village, which have been dubbed hotspots for illegal mining on the West Rand.

Kocksoord resident Masechaba Motsa says they are shutting down all entrances to ensure that they close in on the illegal miners.

“We are gathered here for one purpose only, and that is to eradicate illegal mining on the West Rand.

“We’ve seen that they are conducting illegal mining in Krugersdorp and other parts of the West Rand, and it’s only a matter of time before they come into our communities. We don’t want that,” says Motsa.

He adds that they are closing all the possible ‘holes’ that zama zamas might use to enter their spaces.

Late last month more than 80 illegal miners were arrested in West Village following the rape and robbery of eight women – an incident that sparked a massive outcry across the country.