Residents of Khuma, a township in Stilfontein, have called on the government to reopen and legalise an abandoned mining site that has become a hotspot for illegal mining and violence.
They believe reviving the mine could create jobs and boost the struggling local economy.
However, mining expert Ingrid Watson, a senior lecturer at the Wits Mining Institute, cautions that the chances of reinstating the mine are minimal due to financial and safety constraints.
IOL News visited Khuma to hear directly from residents. Many acknowledged the economic benefits illegal miners, known as zama zamas, bring to local businesses.
Taxi drivers profit from transporting miners, while small business owners—such as tavern operators and shopkeepers—have seen a sharp decline in income since illegal mining activity slowed down.
Despite these economic benefits, the community remains deeply concerned about crime. A resident, who did not want to be named, said they disliked the fact that zama zamas bring their conflicts to the township.
“They fight over territory, use firearms, and our children are terrified,” the resident said
Updated: 17:20 30 January 2025 Thursday
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