Muzimuhle residents live in fear because of illegal miners
Illegal mining creates a serious threat to mine employees, communities and illegal miners themselves.
EVANDER – Illegal mining is spreading throughout the Winkelhaak Mine area.
The zama- zamas are mining in broad daylight and a large group has been seen near the Secunda to eMbalenhle road that passes Graceland.
An increasing number of them have been doing their illegal activity behind the concrete company.
Motorists and residents have raised their concerns over illegal miners invading public spaces.
Despite several police operations to eradicate illegal mining in the area, the zama-zamas seem unstoppable.
They usually disappear two or three days before a police operation and then return.
Most of those who are operating at Winkelhaak Mine, are foreign nationals, either undocumented immigrants or former mine workers who lost their jobs and never left.
The Ridge Times interviewed an illegal miner at Marikana, Mandela Section, who said his job is risky and dangerous, but because of the socio-economic problems and being unemployment, he does not have a choice but to mine illegally.
“You go to work daily and do not know what will happen and we depend on one another for protection.
“At least where we are currently working, we can not be trapped inside when the ground caves in.
“Another danger is the deadly gang warfare between rival factions.”
Residents of Muzimuhle Village got used to living in fear, because of the illegal operations in the area.
They often have no electricity for weeks when illegal miners burn down transformers.
Mr Mlandeli Mbambhatha, chairman of The National Union of Mine Workers, said workers have raised concerns over the zama-zamas.
“They say at times they hear gunshots at night and house-breakings are on the rise.
“We spoke with the mine and they deployed extra security personnel who do regular patrols, but the problem persists.
“It is unclear what the permanent solution is.”
At times the illegal miners even gain access to the Evander Gold Mine.
Further concerns are that some legal miners allegedly sell or give their clock cards to illegal miners to gain access to mines.
Five illegal miners were rescued and arrested at the Evander Gold Mine last year and it is alleged that they rented access cards from mine employees.
