Mohale FM The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has condemned the “escalating activities of illegal mining” in Bekkersdal.
The committee has expressed its deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of the escalating activities of illegal mining in the Bekkersdal community, which have plunged the area into lawlessness, violence and fear.
In a statement, the committee noted that it is gravely disturbed by the unacceptable and violent nature of crimes linked to illegal mining, attributing to the issue of December last year, where a mass shooting at an illegal tavern in Bekkersdal left 21 people shot, with nine lives tragically lost.
The committee added that it was briefed about another shooting incident in which an alleged zama zama was shot and wounded during night-time gunfire in the area.
Illegal mining has also fuelled a surge in kidnappings in Bekkersdal. Following illegal mineral transactions, victims are reportedly followed to their homes, where family members are abducted and ransoms demanded.
According to the commission in cases where ransoms are not paid, victims are brutally murdered, further entrenching fear and contributing to the alarming escalation of violent crime in the community.
