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News24 reports that ongoing war zone scenes have been playing out in Riverlea in Johannesburg where at least five people were killed in the latest clash among warring zama zama gangs.
Last Tuesday, resident Ernest Magena died during a shootout between zama zamas (illegal miners) and police near FNB Stadium when he was hit by a stray bullet. His family are struggling to come to terms with his death. According to frightened residents, zama zamas, often armed with semi-automatic rifles, brazenly shoot as soon as the sun sets over the area. On Saturday night, five people were killed during a territorial clash among different gangs of zama zamas. Zama zama gang violence has been an issue in the suburb for several years, with little to no intervention from the SA Police Service. During a visit to the area on Monday afternoon, Police Minister Bheki Cele, accompanied by the police’s top brass, talked tough and assured residents that he was willing to put his head on the line to restore calm. Scores of disgruntled residents gathered close to a bakkie where Cele stood to address them. “Come lie to us again, minister,” and “talk, talk, that’s all you do,” residents shouted as Cele started his address. Cele said a group of external specialised units would be deployed to the area to go “toe to toe” with criminals in the area. He said he had also met with Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe to close disused shafts. Community leader Keagan Everson said: “We live in constant fear and danger because of the shooting happening here. […] These guys are using high calibre rifles, and they [police] don't have the firepower to take them on, so we feel we need the soldiers to come and take care of this.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 (subscriber access only)
- Read too, Riverlea community want army to deal with zama zama problem, at TimesLIVE
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page