By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi engaged with residents who have taken refuge at a community hall after fleeing their homes at the Sporong informal settlement in Randfontein due to victimisation by illegal miners.
Lesufi, accompanied by Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Tommy Mthombeni, Gauteng MECs, and the Rand West Executive Mayor, conducted a walkabout in Randfontein, engaging directly with displaced residents.
The Sporong informal settlement, located in the Rand West City Local Municipality near Randfontein, has been affected by escalating activities linked to illegal mining.
Residents claim that illegal miners, individuals engaged in unregulated gold mining, often in abandoned or decommissioned shafts, have terrorised the community.
This is done through tactics including home invasions, theft of belongings, assaults, extortion, and threats with firearms.
Lesufi reassured the community that the provincial government is implementing a coordinated plan with all relevant stakeholders to restore safety and stability.
He revealed that land has been identified for relocation, but only registered South African citizens from the Sporong informal settlement will be moved.
“We have identified land so those that have been registered… they will be taken to that allocation site,” Lesufi said.
Mthombeni has assured residents that police are intensifying operations in the area.
He said, a stabilisation team has been deployed to gather intelligence after residents reported that they were evicted by armed illegal miners two weeks ago.
Analysts estimate there are about 30,000 illegal miners producing 10% of South Africa’s gold output in 6,000 abandoned mineshafts, often controlled by violent criminal syndicates.