The Zama Zama attack

The zama zama attack

By Qaqamba Matundu

South Africa’s cost-of-living has worsened over the past ten years. SA economy shrunk below the size of what it was prior to the Covid-19 pandemic struck in the pandemic in the second quarter hit by damaging floods and severe power outages. That is why most South Africans decided to stage a protest over so many crises that include electricity crisis, high cost of living, high crime level involving illegal immigrants.

On a Wednesday morning, 14 September, it was confirmed that the bodies of at least six suspected zama zama illegal miners were found badly wounded at the Maraisburg highway offramp. It is suspected that the zama zama infighting resulted to the attack.

South Africa is currently struggling with the most depressing power cuts ever in history whereby people were introduced to stage six by Eskom which means people can have loadshedding for at least six hours a day. People cannot take it anymore. Everything around this country is upsetting residents. For example, residents of Kagiso in the West Rand (Mogale City) decided to protest due to the illegal immigrants mining in the area.

The death of miners come over a month since police promised to close some of the illegal mines used by zama zamas in the area that for years has been running riots. In July there was a national outcry after eight young women filming a music video were sexually violated multiple times allegedly by a group of zama zamas

The people that were filming were robbed their equipment and every valuable items they had with them that costed millions of rands.

Cases of rape, robbery etc have been opened at the Krugersdorp police station.

According to Baloyi, the suspects are among 80 who were arrested during raids that were launched after eight women were raped in West Village. The rape sparked violent protests in the West Rand.

“Residents also claimed that most of the Gender Based Violence (GBV) crime in the area were committed by illegal miners who were often heavily armed and many of them undocumented foreign nationals.” Says SA news

In form of protesting few homes that allegedly house zama zamas in Mafikeng were targeted when community members were searching for illegal miners. They burnt most of their belongings.

The area has been in the news after several incidents that has taken place there allegedly committed by undocumented zama zamas that are seem not to fear anything since they continue doing illegal staff, violating women and making people live in fear because they get robbed, others lose their lives and South Africans are tired of that and are now protesting.