Gauteng Legislature condemns escalating illegal mining violence in Bekkersdal

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has strongly condemned what it describes as escalating illegal mining activities in Bekkersdal, warning that the situation has deteriorated into lawlessness and fear for residents.

In its remarks, the committee did not mince words about the severity of the crisis.

“The [committee] expresses its deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of the escalating activities of illegal mining in the Bekkersdal community, which have plunged the area into lawlessness, violence, and fear.

“The committee is gravely disturbed by the unacceptable and violent nature of crimes linked to illegal mining. In December last year, a mass shooting at an illegal tavern in Bekkersdal left 21 people shot, with nine lives tragically lost,” the committee said.

The committee further revealed it had been briefed on another violent incident.

“The committee added that it was briefed about another shooting incident ‘in which an alleged zama zama was shot and wounded during night-time gunfire in the area”.

Beyond shootings, the committee highlighted a disturbing rise in kidnappings allegedly linked to illegal mining operations.

“Illegal mining has also fuelled a surge in kidnappings in Bekkersdal. Following illegal mineral transactions, victims are reportedly followed to their homes, where family members are abducted and ransoms demanded.

“In cases where ransoms are not paid, victims are brutally murdered, further entrenching fear and contributing to the alarming escalation of violent crime in the community,” the committee said.

In response to these developments, the committee conducted an oversight visit to the Bekkersdal Police Station on Friday to assess operational challenges and the station’s capacity to respond effectively to crime.

“The committee identified serious shortcomings that undermine effective policing, including critical resource shortages and poor, inadequate infrastructure.

“Of particular concern is that a facility initially intended to function as a satellite police station is currently being used as a fully-fledged station.

“The facility is small, overcrowded and wholly unsuitable for the scale and severity of criminality in the area, negatively impacting both the morale of police officers and their ability to fight crime effectively,” the committee continued.

The committee said it will engage relevant authorities to address these shortcomings, with specific focus on infrastructure upgrades, improved resource allocation and strengthened operational capacity.

“The committee remains committed to contributing to decisive action that will restore safety, uphold the rule of law and ensure a significant reduction in crime in Bekkersdal.

“The people of Bekkersdal deserve to live without fear. The committee will continue to exercise robust oversight to ensure that law enforcement agencies are adequately equipped and supported to decisively dismantle illegal mining networks and protect the community,” the committee concluded.

The developments place renewed focus on the impact of illegal mining, commonly associated with zama zama activity, on community safety in parts of Gauteng, as authorities face growing pressure to restore stability and strengthen law enforcement in affected areas.