Zama zamas swarm Sabie: Toxic illegal mining threatens waterways and communities
A Mpumalanga resident says hundreds of zama zamas swarm Sabie plantations for illegal mining activities, sparking toxic pollution and safety fears for local communities.
At dawn each day, hundreds of zama zamas flock from Simile township into plantations to ‘work.’
This is the sight a resident outside Sabie has had to live with for the past couple of years, reports the Lowvelder. The resident asked not to be named.
“Every morning they walk from Simile on the back roads of town, through the cemetery, and then disappear in the plantation adjacent to Harmony Hill. These plantations belong to Safcol and York Timbers,” he said.
Hundreds of illegal miners spotted
He estimates there could be as many as 500 illegal miners streaming into the plantations.
In the evening they head homeward, but then each is carrying a big bag.
According to him, these bags are filled with gold-bearing ore and he says he suspects there is a processing plant somewhere in Simile.
The resident is also concerned about possible pollution of the Sabie River.
“The processing plant uses dangerous chemicals to extract gold from the ore. When driving along the R532 between Sabie and Graskop, one can see the reddish slush draining from Simile into the river.”
The Sabie River forms part of the Komati River system, which runs through the Kruger National Park into Mozambique.
Zama zamas spotted panning and processing gold
He said recently, while driving to White River, he also discovered a large group of zama zamas panning and processing gold in a stream about 15km outside of town.
“I stopped next to the road to answer a call of nature. I stood on the embankment when I noticed some movement about 30m from the road. I saw a group of about 30 to 40 people in the Spitskopspruit, panning and processing gold ore.”
The red chemical slush flowed into the spruit.
“Residents who collect firewood from the plantations are now living in fear. They told me they are scared because the illegal miners are armed and will not hesitate to shoot,” he said.
Company hires specialised security to protect plantation
One of the biggest concerns for Safcol is the protection of their plantation.
“We are aware of the illegal mining in our plantation,” said Nokuthula Makaringe, Safcol spokesperson.
“We contracted Phoenix Security, a specialised security entity, to protect our plantations,” said Makaringe.
Safcol also reported the case to the police.
Makaringe could not say how many illegal miners operate on Safcol’s property or if any action has been taken by the police.
Zander Stander, a director of Phoenix Security, confirmed that they were tasked with supplying security to both Safcol and York Timbers.
“For security reasons, I cannot divulge what our operational plans are. It is an enormous task, but we are slowly but surely making inroads in the fight,” he said.
York Timbers did not respond to the question by the time of publishing.
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