Over 600 Rand West informal settlement residents find refuge after illegal miners’ terror

Over 600 people from the Sporong informal settlement have taken refuge at a community hall after being driven from their homes by illegal miners or “zama zamas”. 
 
The settlement, located in the Rand West City Local Municipality, was established near several decommissioned mines. 
 
After years of terror that the zama zamas meted out the community, residents have left the area.
  
The images of women and children cramped in a community hall usually follow a natural disaster. 

But the community of Sporong is dealing with a different kind of disaster, a man-made one of zama zamas. 

A community leader, Elsie Mokobane, said it’s been more than two weeks since they abandoned their homes.
 
“Life here at the hall is also difficult. We are definitely safer than where we’re coming from but we’re not living well. We don’t have hot water. We sleep on the floor and there are not enough sponges or space for everyone. Some people sleep in the kitchen, shower and passages.”
 
Mokobane added that they are grateful for the safe shelter, however they are appealing to government for a more permanent solution.

Some residents from the Sporong informal settlement - who were allegedly driven out of their homes by zama zama said they are afraid to go back.

A resident, Esther Mhlongo, is one of the victims. 

“They forced themselves into my home by breaking down the door. They found me hiding under the bed and pulled me by my gown. I apologised to them and said I was coming out but they kept on hitting me with their guns.”

Residents from Sporong also claim that the police did not do anything to protect them from zama zamas.

A few residents have stayed behind but most of the houses remain abandoned.

As a result of the mass exodus, all trading in the informal settlement has effectively stopped with most of the spaza shops now closed.