'The zama zamas have informers and girlfriends within the community and it is difficult to even talk about this issue.'
A man walks in Nomzamo Park, Soweto, yesterday, in the aftermath of shootings in which armed men killed 16 people. Picture: Nigel Sibanda
“The streets are empty at 8pm because people are scared. Seeing a Quantum with people at night has become one of the scariest things. It would be better if someone was arrested but no one has been arrested and we do not know if these people are still going to come back,” one resident said. “We are used to gunshots in this area. This place is not safe. We had asked for Amaberete from our street committees before the incident happened but we were never listened to. We are disappointed and angry that the Amaberete which were meant to deal with the issues faced by the community were barely here.”A mother whose son was injured during the shooting said she was not sure if her child will ever be able to walk again.
Meanwhile, in the West Rand, specialised SA Police Service units were deployed from Monday to deal with the zama zama issue. However, residents of those areas say they have not seen any changes. “They are there specifically to clamp down on illegal mining and to search out illegal miners from their hideouts. They are guided by crime intelligence as well as information they receive from the communities with regards to the whereabouts of illegal miners.”
“The police were only here on Tuesday morning and in the afternoon. Around 6pm, the zama zamas came out from the mines to buy alcohol and food from the tuck shop. We also started to hear gunshots coming from the same mine the police were searching at in the morning and afternoon,” he said.
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