MOREMELA residents near Matibidi, in Mpumalanga, burnt down RDP houses believed to be housing zama zamas on Sunday, 14 April.
The zama zamas are alleged to be Basotho nationals who are involved in illegal mining activities in the area. They're believed to be targeting old mines which are near tourist attractions.
A community leader, who spoke to Daily Sun, said residents have a problem with illegal miners, most of whom are allegedly from Lesotho and terrorise residents.
"They walk around carrying rifles. We no longer go to entertainment areas because of them," said the community leader.
He said on Sunday, 7 April, residents held a meeting and agreed to go house-to-house to check if everyone residing in the area is in the country legally.
"If we found undocumented people, we'll vacate them. We started with our operation on Monday, 8 April, and when we reached another section, we were told it was a no-go area," he said.
"Some of the locals were against our operation and told us they didn't want the zama zamas to leave the area. We went to this other tavern that harbours them and when we got there, some of the locals started pelting us with stones and shot at us."
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He said on Saturday, 14 April, some of the locals, who are against the operation, damaged cars belonging to one of the community leaders.
"The community went to confront some of the locals who are housing Basothos. They burnt down at least eight RDP houses. They say they can't watch people housing criminals in the houses built by the government. We don't have a problem with illegal immigrants but have a problem with undocumented ones who are involved in illegal activities," he said.
The leader claims they have been receiving death threats.
"We no longer sleep in our houses. There's a list that targets community leaders who lead operations. We've been told some community leaders will be buried within this week. They say they'll deal with us, and seven of us must be buried this week," he said.
The community is expected to meet on Monday, 15 April, to discuss a way forward.
Mpumalanga police spokesman, Colonel Donald Mdluli said no cases of arson have been reported yet.
He said police have been deployed in the area to monitor the situation.
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