ZAMIMPILO must go!
This was the chant by Riverlea residents during an imbizo held by Police Minister Bheki Cele in the Joburg area on Thursday, 4 August after a shoot-out between illegal miners over the weekend.
Angry residents told Cele that Zamimpilo informal settlement needs to be dealt with and must go.
“Zamimpilo must go. That's not negotiable. If there are South Africans there, the Department of Human Settlements must find a place for them. We are not going to solve any problems if Zamimpilo is still there,” said resident Yvonne Mgidlana.
She said zama zamas run into their houses when they kill each other and they no longer feel safe in their own yards. She further said the whole of Riverlea will perish if this is not urgently addressed.
“If government is not willing to do anything, we will do it ourselves,” said Yvonne.
Another resident claimed that community members are dying right in front of the police and also alleged that the cops were being fed from the zama zamas' pockets.
ALSO READ| Malema BLESSES teen girl with R40k!
City of Joburg manager Floyd Brink said he has heard the people and will continue to send their own teams, including those from human settlements.
“The Department of Mineral Resources chief director said the holes will be closed by mid-September, and we will also extend a helping hand to them. The illegal miners do not only risk themselves, but risk the lives of those who live around the area,” said Brink.
He said they have moved 292 families from Zamimpilo to Fleurhof.
Brink said:
However, angry residents alleged that their ward cpouncillor wasn't working and they only see him when there were problems.
Ward 68 Councillor Msimelelo Lobi told Daily Sun that as a servant of the community, there would always be those accusations.
“I'm a political representative and accusations will be politically based, but I do work with the community, especially when it comes to the city's service delivery,” said Lobi.
Cele said he and the ministers of Home Affairs, defence and justice will meet President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday, 5 August.
