The southern region of Roodepoort CBD, affectionately known by locals as Lappies, erupted in gunfire on Tuesday, January 20, when police came under fire from approximately 60 heavily armed illegal miners.

Messages spread like wildfire on community WhatsApp groups with residents reporting wild gunfire in the Roodepoort CBD.

According to the police’s Johannesburg District communications co-ordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Tshetlane, police found themselves under fire after responding to community complaints that zama-zamas were shooting at each other in the vicinity of Gustav Street.

“Police resources including the Public Order Policing unit and the West Rand K9 unit were mobilised, and a shootout erupted between police and the illegal miners.”

This as ongoing violence, allegedly between two warring zama-zama factions over territory, has had residents from Georginia South all the way to Durban Deep on edge since the escalation of hostilities from about November.

While police are loathe to acknowledge the true state of the situation, the Roodepoort Record has received reports from multiple sources confirming that a rival gang is trying to move into and take over the territory.

Tshetlane says that police responded and when the zamas realised they were, cornered, they opened fire.

“Two suspects, aged 34 and 47 were arrested for staging an attack on the police, as well as being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

“Police also uncovered a 308 rifle with 25 rounds of ammunition and a 9mm pistol with 11 rounds of ammunition.”

The Record has spoken to numerous police and security sources who are concerned at the brazenness of the attack.

“This was not a serious attack, but a show of strength,” says one source on condition of anonymity.

“There were at least 60 zamas shooting with everything from pistols and revolvers to long rifles. It boggles the mind that no-one was injured.”