The grim reality of South Africa's illegal mining industry is once again thrust into the harsh spotlight. Hundreds of zama zamas – illegal miners – are barricaded deep within the abandoned Buffelsfontein shafts near Stilfontein, defiantly refusing to surface, fearing the police waiting above.
This standoff highlights the brutal and complex nature of this illicit trade, a network woven with corruption, violence, and exploitation, stretching across the country's gold-rich regions.
In the North West and Free State provinces, Basotho men dominate the illegal mining landscape, their ruthlessness and organisational skills creating a formidable force. On the West Rand, a more diverse group holds sway, comprising South Africans of all races and foreign nationals. The East Rand, however, presents a different picture, with control largely in the hands of white Afrikaners, many with past police connections or strong ties within the force.
Mining security expert Louis Nel paints a chilling picture of the situation. "It might as well be your neighbour," he observes, referring to the identities of those orchestrating these operations.
He reveals the extent of police complicity, stating, "And, make no mistake, the police are well aware of who they should hold accountable, but I’ve seen with my own eyes how they too are profiting from this industry. Once, I was sitting with a white gold dealer when a police car stopped near us, and a woman got out to ask if he wanted to buy gold from her."
The gold, Nel explains, was confiscated from a zama zama and offered for sale by the police officer.
The depth of corruption extends further. Nel recounts instances on the West Rand where police officers, instead of confiscating gold from arrested zama zamas, would contact other miners, saying, "come fetch your buddy and bring me R5 000."
In Khuma, near Stilfontein, the situation is even more brazen: "In Khuma, outside of Stilfontein, policemen live right next to the kingpins of the illegal mining industry there. The police know exactly what’s going on and sometimes even accompany the zama zamas to work," he reveals.
Even a black brigadier on the East Rand, according to Nel, had a dedicated team deployed to assist zama zama kingpins whenever they faced obstacles.
Men and teenage boys are often lured from neighbouring countries with false promises of employment, only to discover the harsh reality of their forced labour underground.
Nel confirms this grim reality, stating, “It’s slavery. As simple as that. We know of cases where children – aged 15, 16, 17 – were recruited with promises of enormous wealth, but they have no idea what’s waiting for them until they are dropped off at the mine. Only then are they told they will be working there and must mine a certain amount of dust in a day before they can get food or leave. And if they can’t do it, they have to work off their “debt”. He recounts a harrowing tale of a 15-year-old from Soweto who escaped a mine after a 33km underground trek, revealing that a friend had been shot dead for falling ill.
The violence associated with illegal mining is rampant. Nel highlights the brutal disregard for human life: “They have no respect for human rights. I’ve been to a scene where a young woman was carved up and murdered with a broken beer bottle after the guys had had their fun with her and then refused to pay her. What about that woman’s human rights? What about the men who, every month, are killed and left in the middle of the road by a syndicate, as a warning to opposing syndicates to stay away from their territory?”
The scale of the illicit profits generated is staggering. Nel points to dormant mining shafts in North West, owned by a named company, that continue to yield gold, indicating complicity from within the legitimate mining sector. The recent seizure of assets from three men involved in an illegal mining network in the Free State underscores the wealth accumulated through this criminal enterprise.
Progress Bayeni Mlambo, Leonard Robert Moyo, and Kocanai Sithole were arrested in November last year in Welkom and charged with violations of the Precious Metals Act. Police confiscated R4.5 million worth of gold, R5.5 million in cash, and a Toyota FJ Cruiser from Mlambo. A forfeiture order for the vehicle was granted in the Parys Magistrates’ Court last week.
The conspicuous wealth generated by illegal mining is evident in communities like Khumba, where Mpho notes the display of expensive cars as a clear indicator of involvement. "They live among us and drive very flashy and big cars. We know exactly who got involved — we see it by the cars. But they never go down the mine themselves; they just take the gold and sell it in Johannesburg,” she explains.
The situation at Buffelsfontein highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address the multifaceted challenges posed by illegal mining. The zama zamas' demands for food, medicine, and protection of their human rights, while seemingly paradoxical given the brutality of their actions, underscore the desperate conditions that fuel this dangerous industry.
The complicity of law enforcement, the involvement of legitimate businesses, and the sheer scale of violence and exploitation demand a robust and coordinated response from all levels of government and society.
