JOHANNESBURG - Over 600 families, mostly women and children, have fled Randfontein, west of Johannesburg, after a surge in illegal mining violence.
The residents were forced to vacate their home on 10 January as a result of an escalation in illegal mining. They say since last November, their community has been terrorised by illegal miners who have also threatened to kidnap their children.
They’re now sheltering at Randgate community hall.
“Rand West is under siege. There are people moving area to area terrorising the community, robbing and killing people. It’s very painful, no human beings should live under such conditions,” a resident told eNCA.
Another resident said she did not want to return back to the area.
“The situation is very bad there. The zama-zamas are living there. They are waiting for us. We are not going back.”