Video – Blood shed in illegal mining violence

‘We want peace, we are here for Zama-zama (illegal mining), not violence and crime.’

February 25, 2015

Sifiso Mathebula 2 minutes read

Basotho nationals gather after a night’s violence.

eMBALENHLE – Cold blooded murder at eNkomo Village in Evander left residents traumatised on Friday night, 20 February.

About six Basotho nationals were stabbed and shot dead by an alleged rival group.

It is alleged that the shooting and the violence were due to illegal mining in the area.

According to one of the illegal miners, he received a call from his home boys that they were attacked by a rival group from eMbalenhle.

“We had to leave our work and attended to our brothers.

“We heard a lot of noise as we were approaching the village and when we arrived, some of our home boys were missing.

“We suspected that they were kidnapped by the attackers and that some were dead.”

He said the fight begins in Lesotho and when they arrive here, it continues.

When they arrive in eMbelehle, they group themselves according to their region and language.

“We do not wear the same blankets and our language is not exactly the same.

“However my group which is based in eNkomo is neither fighting anyone nor is holding a grudge against anyone, but eMbalenhle group is attacking us for no reason.

“We want peace, we are here for Zama-zama (illegal mining), not violence and crime.”

One of the men was shot, stabbed and dumped in a veld next to the Old Bracken Gold Mine.

His body was recovered by the police on Saturday, 21 February.

About 30 Basotho nationals were wearing their traditional blankets and boots and were on the scene to give their statements to the police.

Residents, including those from Extension 26 in eMbalenhle, said they feel unsafe and threatened by the constant gun shots in the area by the illegal miners.

They said a large number of the illegal miners are renting rooms in the area and they are seen mostly early in mornings and late in the afternoons.

Sgt Sibusiso Mbuli confirmed that six people had died and the police are investigating.