Pakistanis, Ethiopians Join Zama Zamas: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, has raised fresh concerns over the escalating issue of illegal mining in the province.
Speaking on Wednesday in Stilfontein during the presentation of the third-quarter crime statistics for the 2024/2025 financial year, Morweng revealed that illegal mining remains a significant challenge despite law enforcement efforts to curb it.
New Nationalities Among Illegal Miners
Morweng highlighted a shift in the demographics of individuals involved in illegal mining activities, commonly known as Zama Zamas. Previously, illegal miners were primarily from African countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi. However, recent arrests indicate that nationals from Pakistan, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are now actively participating in these operations.
Economic and Environmental Impact of Illegal Mining
Illegal mining continues to drain South Africa’s economy, with the gold mining sector alone losing over R70 billion annually due to unlawful operations. Beyond financial losses, illegal mining poses severe environmental hazards, including sinkholes and land degradation, which endanger communities and infrastructure.
Law Enforcement Operations Against Zama Zamas
Earlier this year, law enforcement agencies executed a large-scale crackdown in Stilfontein, resulting in the arrest of over 1,000 illegal miners and the retrieval of 78 bodies from an abandoned mine. This operation was hailed as a success, but officials admit that illegal mining persists and is shifting to other regions within the province.
In response, the police initiated the Vala Umgodi operation, which recently led to the arrest of 22 illegal mining suspects in the Bojanala District. Despite these interventions, authorities acknowledge that the fight against illegal mining is far from over.
Crime Hotspots in North West Province
While crime rates in the North West province have seen a slight decline compared to the previous year, Morweng noted that certain crimes remain prevalent in specific districts.
Bojanala District: A Hub for Serious Crimes
Bojanala District continues to report high rates of violent crimes, with Rustenburg ranking among the top 12 police stations in the country for serious offenses. Law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to address violent crime in this region, but challenges persist due to the influx of illegal miners.
Dr Kenneth Kaunda District: A Hotspot for Illegal Mining and Assaults
The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District has been identified as a major hotspot for illegal mining, sexual offenses, and various forms of assault. The district contains both active and abandoned gold mines, which have become breeding grounds for illegal mining syndicates and related criminal activities.
Addressing the Growing Threat
The North West government and law enforcement agencies are under increasing pressure to enhance their efforts in combating illegal mining. The recent arrests of Pakistani and Ethiopian nationals involved in Zama Zama activities signal a worrying expansion of these operations beyond traditional African networks. Authorities are now calling for stricter border controls and more aggressive law enforcement interventions to dismantle these illegal mining operations before they spread further.
