Dozens of residents, including young children, newborns and elderly people, have been left without shelter after fleeing violent attacks linked to illegal miners and being told to vacate the Randgate Community Hall, where they had sought refuge.

Residents fled their homes after receiving threats and witnessing a series of violent incidents in Sporong that began in October last year. They moved into the community hall on January 9 as a temporary safety measure. However, on January 15, they were informed that they had to leave the facility following complaints from the wider community, despite having nowhere else to go.

Sporong resident Ntebaleng Mosia said the situation in the area has deteriorated over several months, with residents living in fear due to the lack of police presence.

Another resident, Paulus Sello, recalled a deadly shooting in October. He said violence escalated further in November when illegal miners opened fire at taverns and shops, leaving two people dead and four injured.

“They went from shop to shop, then from house to house. We ran for our lives. They have taken everything,” Sello said.

Mosia further alleged that residents were threatened with firearms and that a 13-year-old girl was kidnapped and held captive for a week.

“We are afraid and discouraged from opening cases with the police. There isn’t a police presence in the area. We had to run away for our safety and that of our children,” Mosia said.

Despite being instructed to vacate the hall, residents insist they cannot return home.

The displaced group said all affected residents are approved for RDP housing and believe permanent accommodation could resolve the crisis. They claim some housing units near Dan Tloome appear vacant but remain unallocated.

The hall currently shelters men, women, children as young as two years old, three newborns and elderly residents, all sharing a single overcrowded space. Food shortages and poor living conditions have added to their hardship.

The Randgate Boxing Club, which uses the hall for training, expressed frustration at the current situation. Head coach Willie Consalves said they have more than 50 boxers and run a youth project in Toekomsrus aimed at keeping young people off the streets and interested in boxing.

“We have been here for 55 years. We have no other venue we can use,” Consalves added.

On January 22, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, accompanied by Rand West City Local Municipality Executive Mayor William Matsheke, addressed the residents of Sporong and offered solutions to their situation.

Lesufi said all residents currently staying at the community hall will be relocated within the next seven days. The elderly, sick and people with children will be provided with temporary housing while awaiting RDP allocation. Those already approved for RDP housing will be allocated homes, while others will return to Sporong. He added there will be more police presence in Sporong, including a special unit focused on eradicating illegal mining, as well as 24-hour patrols.

Authorities will also assist the injured and sick, and residents will receive two meals per day.

Residents expressed hope that the promised solutions will materialise.

“I feel good about the solutions that were given and believe it will happen,” resident Mpepi Ditabe said.

Another resident, Esther Molefe, added: “I believe it’s a good thing.”

DA member Evert du Plessis from the Gauteng Legislature said he believed there was enough large-scale intervention for the plan to work.

“We will see if the police, as well as the Department of Human Settlement, play their role. We hope this intervention will help to combat illegal mining.”

Ward 6 councillor Sina Erasmus said that as a community, they truly hope this will work, and the issue will be resolved as soon as possible.