Zama zama violence escalates with near-daily shootings in Roodepoort
Security personnel came under heavy fire from illegal miners brandishing AK-47 rifles.
Illegal mining activity linked to zama zamas appears to be escalating in Roodepoort, with near-daily shooting incidents reported in areas including Georginia South, Cresswell Park, the Roodepoort CBD near Miles Stoker Road, and increasingly in Davidsonville.
The growing violence was underscored on January 14 during a meeting between Roodepoort Record journalist Johan Meyer and residents of Georginia South, who were discussing ongoing shootings in the area. While the meeting was underway, multiple gunshots rang out nearby, prompting security personnel present to rush to the scene.
It later emerged that Bhekani Abantu Security special operations manager Brandon Nevelling and his partner had come under heavy fire after responding to community reports of multiple zama zamas walking along Miles Stoker Road, allegedly armed with AK-47 rifles. The pair became trapped on the bridge next to the recycling centre.
“We came under heavy fire,” says Nevelling. “Luckily, my vehicle is armoured.”
Nevelling said he and his partner managed to exit the vehicle and return fire while waiting for backup. Additional units soon arrived from Bhekani Abantu, Fidelity ADT, Help24 Secure, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), and a Gauteng Province Traffic helicopter.
“At first, it was four shooters, but another six emerged from the bushes and started firing at us.
“We managed to push them back a little once the West Rand Public Order Policing Unit arrived.
“They moved toward the houses along Main Reef Road, and some of them disappeared between the houses.”
Nevelling added that the pursuit continued to the open area behind the Roodepoort K9 Unit’s offices on Penny Road, where the suspects disappeared down mine shafts that security and law enforcement personnel could not access.
“It was a close call,” says Nevelling.
The Record has repeatedly contacted the police district communications co-ordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Tshetswane, for comment. Despite repeated undertakings to respond, no feedback had been received by the time of publication.
