Zama zamas run for cover as soldiers pounce on illegal mining hotspots

By Mapaballo Borotho

SANDF soldiers raided an illegal mining site in Randfontein as part of ongoing crime-fighting operations in Gauteng.
Several pieces of heavy equipment, including generators and compressors, were confiscated during the raid.
However, no arrests were made as suspected illegal miners fled into nearby veld and underground tunnels.

On their second day of combatting crime in Gauteng, members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) pounced on illegal mining activities in Randfontein.

Randfontein is one of the areas in Gauteng that is notorious for illegal mining operations, often linked to deadly violence driven by these activities.

On Thursday, 12 March 2026, soldiers accessed an area that is prohibited to the public, where illegal mining activities are believed to be taking place.

The area is considered dangerous for the public as it contains numerous pits and holes left behind by unlawful mining operations.

During the operation, six large generators, compressors and phendukas were confiscated.

No arrests were made during the raid as the so-called “zama zamas”, or illegal miners, reportedly fled into nearby veld and underground tunnels.

Meanwhile, residents in towns affected by illegal mining in South Africa continue to live in fear, as they are often caught in violent clashes between rival groups of illegal miners.

Earlier this year, some residents in Randfontein were forced to flee their homes following threats and violent attacks allegedly carried out by illegal miners.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended the deployment of soldiers to crime hotspots in parts of Gauteng and other provinces.

Ramaphosa was responding to questions from National Assembly members in Cape Town on Thursday following backlash over the deployments and concerns about a lack of clear terms of reference.

The post Zama zamas run for cover as soldiers pounce on illegal mining hotspots appeared first on KAYA 959.