Officers from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) have been deployed to Riverlea, west of Johannesburg, as a protest intensifies in the area.
JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla, says residents are protesting over illegal mining activities. Many roads leading to Riverlea have been blocked. Fihla has advised motorists to avoid the area.
“There is a protest in Riverlea where roads have been barricaded off to traffic. Affected roads include Main Reef, Main Reef and Alvin Road, Main Reef and Springbok Road, Commander Road, Nasrec Road and Jukskie Drive. It’s alleged the community from Riverlea is protesting against illegal mining activities, especially the gun fights that have left the community living in fear. The situation is tense at the moment.”
Meanwhile, mining analyst, David van Wyk, says if law enforcement doesn’t take decisive action against illegal mining kingpins, bloodshed will continue among factions fighting over turf.
At the weekend, police discovered five bullet-riddled bodies in Riverlea, near the Zamimpilo informal settlement. Police have since called on anyone with information on the recent shootout between suspected rival mining gangs to come forward.
The bodies are suspected to be those of zama zamas and cases of murder have been opened.
⚠️ Traffic Advisory⚠️
Protest in Riverlea with Main Reef/New Canda/Commando Rd being barricaded off to traffic with burning tyres. Also expect disruptions on Nasrec Rd near Jukskei Dr. Motorists are urged to avoid & to use Albertina Sisulu Rd or Soweto Highway as alternatives. pic.twitter.com/KSEBjUiOpq
— Jo’burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) July 31, 2023
Van Wyk says urgent action must be taken to stop the scourge of illegal mining.
“Really, I think that we need to look deeper than the actual foot soldiers. We need to find out who is actually behind this, and we need to clamp down on the big guys. And unless we do that, it’s just like with drugs – we (are) just going to endlessly deal with fighting in the streets without actually cutting off the head of the problem.
Source: eNCA
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