Police seized tools used by zama zamas.
ON Wednesday, 2 August, the police were out and about at Zamimpilo squatter camp in Riverlea, Joburg to bring stability in the area.
This came after Riverlea residents barricaded the road with rocks and burning tyres on Monday, 31 July, following a shoot-out between suspected rival illegal mining gangs over the weekend.
Police seized tools used by zama zamas.
Police seized tools used by zama zamas.
On Tuesday, 1 August, police Minister Bheki Cele sent his special unit to the area, promising to restore law and order in Zamimpilo settlements and Riverlea.
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The most recent shooting took place over the weekend and left five people dead.
Councillor Lobi Msimelelo said that it's very difficult to get into the informal settlement.
“If a car can’t make a U-turn, then that place is very dangerous. Zamimpilo was not so congested like this when my father was still living here. There was a committee but now it's full and 80% of the people here are foreigners who are doing as they wish," said Msimelo.
Major-General Tommy Mthombeni said that they have been dealing with the problem of illegal miners in Riverlea and have since arrested several people.
“What is important is to seal these mine holes and the one that was sealed was re-opened, so we have to seal it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the members sent to Riverlea to combat illegal mining since Tuesday have since arrested 20 undocumented foreigners.
Brigadier Brenda Muridili said that the suspects were being processed at the local police station.
“The members of the police have been walking the streets of the Zamimpilo informal settlement since the early hours of the morning, conducting searches and talking to the community in search of illegal miners, firearms and explosives,” she said.
