More than 600 residents of the Sporong Informal Settlement have been forced to flee their homes following a wave of violent attacks allegedly carried out by zama zamas linked to organised crime syndicates.
According to residents, the heavily armed group has been moving door to door, breaking into shacks, demanding money and threatening families. Some residents claim the attackers warned of kidnapping children for ransom, triggering widespread panic and an urgent mass exodus from the settlement.
Displaced families are currently sheltering at the Randgate Community Hall, where conditions are described as overcrowded and inadequate. With limited access to basic facilities, many residents say they are struggling to cope.
“We are living like animals here,” said one affected resident. “We cannot go back home because they are still there, armed and dangerous. We are scared for our lives.”
The violence has drawn condemnation from the Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources, which described the situation as unacceptable and called for urgent intervention. The committee urged law enforcement and relevant government departments to intensify coordinated efforts to combat illegal mining activities and protect vulnerable communities.
In response to the crisis, government has deployed specialised security units to the area to stabilise the situation and dismantle illegal mining operations. Despite this, residents say fear remains high, with many reluctant to return to their homes.
“We just want to go back home safely,” another resident said. “We need protection that will last, not just for a few days.”
On Thursday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, accompanied by Members of the Executive Council (MECs), visited Sporong Informal Settlement to assess the situation and engage directly with displaced families. During the visit to the Randgate Community Hall, the provincial leadership committed to urgent interventions, including temporary relocation and strengthened safety measures.
Premier Lesufi assured residents that vulnerable groups — including the sick, elderly, and mothers with young children — would be relocated to safer shelters where they can receive proper care and support.
The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements said it remains committed to restoring dignity, stability and access to safe housing for affected residents. The department has begun assisting families who qualify for housing subsidies with relocation, while those still awaiting RDP houses have been prioritised for support.
The incident once again highlights the growing threat posed by illegal mining activities in informal settlements across South Africa, where communities often find themselves caught between criminal syndicates and inadequate security.
