POLICE always raid zama zamas in Matholesville in Roodepoort.
They confiscate explosives, illegal mining equipment and gold-bearing materials.
But the zama zamas always go back to the same spot.
Daily Sun visited the zama zamas on Saturday to understand why they kept coming back, and whether it was a sign of disrespect for cops.
They said they respected the police.
“We respect them so much, but we won’t stop working here no matter what they do to us. We will die digging,” said Max Butho (27).
He said mining put bread on the table.
“It’s either we die of hunger or are killed by the police. We choose the latter.”
Max, who worked as a zama zama for more than five years, said they didn’t want to become common criminals. That’s why they chose to work underground.
“By doing this we harm no one. We’re only making means to support our families,” said Max from Lesotho.
He said they dug gold dust and refined it at the spot where police always chased them away.
They were refining when the SunTeam visited and allowed the team to witness the process. Max said a kilogram of gold dust would give them about R500.
Simon Kau (35) from North West said he had been a zama zama for 10 years.
“We’re not the only ones benefiting from the money we make, but the whole community of Matholesville,” he said.
Zero Mdau from Kagiso (25) said he had been a zama zama for four years. He said he chose it as there was no employment.
“I finished school and couldn’t find work. As the eldest at home, I had to do something,” he said.
JMPD spokesman Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the police conducted a raid in the area, just last week.
He said they were aware zama zamas had gone back.
