The desperate search for gold in South Africa's gold-rich areas has turned tragic, with the death of a Zimbabwean informal miner in a police raid on Monday.
Tinashe Masedze, a 24-year-old who had been panning for gold in Daggafontein, Springs, since 2022, was found dead after a fire engulfed the reeds where he and other miners had sought refuge during a police operation.
The incident, which has left a community reeling and sparked outrage, unfolded during Operation Vala Umgodi, a multi-disciplinary operation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMDP).
The operation, aimed at disrupting illegal mining activities in the area, descended into chaos as dozens of miners, including Zimbabweans, Mozambicans, and South Africans, fled for their lives. Some sought refuge in nearby bushes, while others hid in the mine dumping area or among the reeds of a nearby river.
It was in these reeds that the tragedy unfolded. Witnesses claim that an SANDF officer, using petrol, set the reeds ablaze, trapping those who had sought shelter within. The fire spread quickly, leaving many trapped and unable to escape.
"Those miners are peaceful people who never carry weapons. Our community has good relations with them," said Klaas Katjedi, a community representative.
The fire was so intense that those who managed to escape called for help from residents of the nearby Daggafontein informal settlement. They found people trapped in the flames and called the local police for assistance.
Masedze was found dead, while eight others were rushed to the hospital. Two of those injured remain in critical condition. The community fears that others may still be missing, lost in the chaos and the aftermath of the fire.
The incident has left a community in mourning and a sense of deep anger towards the authorities. The residents of Daggafontein, many of whom depend on the informal mining activities for their livelihoods, are furious about the raid and the subsequent loss of life.
"Yes, police say it's illegal for people to process gold. But no one had the right to kill anyone. It was inhuman for soldiers to start a fire against defenceless people," said Katjedi, echoing the sentiments of many in the community.
The community's reliance on the informal mining industry is evident in the economic impact the raid has had. Many residents, including South Africans, have been left without a source of income, as the raid has effectively shut down the mining activities in the area.
"It's sad that some of our community members who benefited from mining may have died in the fire," said Katjedi, highlighting the reliance of the community on the informal mining sector.
The police, in a statement issued by Brigadier Brenda Muridili, acknowledged the operation and the subsequent fire, stating that "when the illegal miners saw the police, they fled in different directions. Some of them ended up in the nearby dam, surrounded by reed grass, which was then set alight by an unknown person."
The statement also confirmed that one man was found dead at the scene, while eight were taken to the hospital. Three of those injured have since been discharged, while two remain in critical condition. The police have registered a case of inquest, but the community remains unconvinced by the official explanation.
The community's anger is further fuelled by the lack of alternative employment opportunities in the area. The Daggafontein Mega Housing project, which was meant to provide jobs and housing for the residents, has stalled, leaving many with no choice but to turn to informal mining for survival.
"It’s sad that some of our community members who benefited from mining may have died in the fire," said Katjedi, highlighting the lack of economic opportunities in the area.
The tragedy in Daggafontein raises serious questions about the methods employed by the authorities in combating illegal mining. The use of fire, a potentially deadly tactic, has been condemned by the community, who argue that it was unnecessary and inhumane.
