The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo calls on the MECs for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) and for Community Safety to urgently mobilise government resources and take decisive action against growing, organized, and armed illegal mining by so-called “zama-zamas” in the Kuschke/Ysterberg/Eerste Goud area, between Mokopane and Polokwane in Limpopo.
Farmers and their families in the region report that their lives, farming operations and livelihoods are under threat from armed, violent and organised zama-zamas who are brazenly and illegally mining for gold with impunity. They describe encounters with groups of miners on their farms, of fences cut, water and irrigation lines damaged, and fires started by the illegal miners — most of whom appear to be foreign nationals illegally in the country from Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Residents say they feel constantly watched and have been forced to increase personal, household and farm security.
Bakkies fitted with false GP registration plates, expensive metal detectors, and high-calibre automatic weapons suggest this is a well-organised criminal enterprise.
Farmers first became aware of the activity around August last year. Since then, it has expanded dramatically, with estimates suggesting at least 100 zama-zamas are now operating in the area.
Although the farming community has repeatedly called for SAPS intervention — and despite several operations and promises of intensified efforts — the illegal mining continues to grow unchecked. Many believe the police lack the resources, capacity or political will to clamp down fully.
The situation is spiraling out of control and escalates from time to time into violent and deadly conflict between rival zama-zama groups. Farmers and residents report hearing bursts of automatic and high calibre gunfire from time to time, sometimes with up to 30 to 40 shots in a single incident. Several bodies have already been discovered.
Criminality and anarchy flourish wherever responsible and decisive governance and law enforcement are absent.
The DA calls on the Limpopo Government to act without delay: mobilise the necessary resources across government, stop illegal mining, restore law and order, and protect the safety and security of the local community