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SowetanLive reports that increasing levels of crimes and gun violence linked to illegal mining activities are what drove a Mpumalanga community to take the law into its hands by burning houses rented out to zama zamas.
At least eight homes accommodating illegal miners were burnt on Sunday as tension grew at Moremela in Bushbuckridge after residents went on a rampage. They accused zama zamas of being behind the spate of crime in the area. Several cars have also been torched since the violence started on Sunday. According to residents, the areas has seen a flood of illegal miners and increased illegal mining activity since last year as a result of crackdown on illegal mining in Gauteng. The residents said with the arrival of more illegal miners they have seen increased crime in the community. Police said they have been aware of fights between illegal miners in the area and, as a result, have set up a unit that targets the closure of abandoned shafts. Community leader Thabang Molepo said the community was living in fear and residents were scared to go outside at night. A woman who rents out her backroom to illegal miners said she was scared to chase them out. But, a group of young women said they didn't want the illegal miners to leave because they buy them food. "These people buy food, alcohol and more, we eat nice from them. We are not happy that they are being chased away because unemployment is very high here," said one woman.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mandla Khoza at SowetanLive
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