A woman from the Gugulethu informal settlement in Springs, Ekurhuleni, is processing alleged gold particles found in one of the cattle kraals in the area.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
The residents of Gugulethu informal settlement in Ekurhuleni have vowed to continue their search for the " lucrative" gold particles said to be underneath their piece of land.
This is despite a strong police presence on Wednesday, after the City of Ekurhuleni deployed its law enforcement authorities to the area, which, since last week, has attracted scores of hungry and unemployed residents, desperate to make a quick buck.
A woman, who did not want to be named, speaking during a community meeting ahead of the police operation, stated: "If we had jobs, we would not be here digging for gold in such a manner. Our children are hungry, but since last week, we have managed to buy groceries and put food on the table for them to eat.
"Thanks to the gold we have found here, but now they want to disturb us. Right now we want to return to work, and as you can see, we are single mothers who want to provide for their families."
Police have descended on the Gugulethu informal settlement in Springs, where residents have been digging for gold since last week.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
The condemnation by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) follows a report by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, which indicated that it had become aware of unlawful excavation at a site believed to contain gold particles.
On Wednesday, despite numerous warnings and widespread condemnation, these residents turned up to the kraals and makeshift processing plants in their numbers.
The gold rush has drawn a multitude of residents, primarily women, who have transformed the landscape of the kraals, digging fervently for any sign of precious metal.
Yet, for every success story, there are those like Lubabalo Dlamini, who, after arriving just on Tuesday, hold out hope for a future find.
"I have not found anything yet, but whatever soil I have picked up could give me something, even if it is R3,000," he confessed.
Community leaders are now calling for government intervention, urging law enforcement to engage with the miners rather than resort to arrests.
Nceba Mnukwa, a prominent figure in the community, appealed for legal mining permits to enable residents to extract the gold lawfully.
"We want to be given a chance to work the land. Law enforcement must engage with us. They were supposed to come and honour the meeting, but they did not," he explained.
Mnukwa's sentiments were echoed by Thabo Maphala, a Lesotho national who has been in the country for more than 10 years.
He stated that artisanal mining permits will help resolve the challenges of the unemployment rate and illegal mining in the country.
"All we want is to be given a chance with mining permits so that we can all make an honest living. Some of us, who are from Lesotho, know how to mine, and we can help in this regard because even construction jobs do not pay us as much as artisanal mining does. There is a lot of money here. I can easily get R10,000 in one day or two working this way," Maphala stated.
Another resident of the area, Lintswe Mofokeng, said: "Even if they come and take away our tools, that will not stop us from coming back again. This is the only way we know how to make a living for ourselves and our families."
Ahead of the police operation in the area, residents continued to process remnants of alleged gold particles found in one of the cattle kraals in the area.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
Addressing members of the media following the disruptive operation, City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Phakamile Mbengashe said the city was forced to respond by intensifying operations against illegal mining activities, which resulted in the arrest of several individuals.
"This was an intelligence-led operation aimed at addressing public safety amid community involvement and potential violence from armed miners. Our long-term strategy is education on the dangers, coordination with national efforts like Operation Val'mgodi, and site closure by city departments."
On the possible return of the gold diggers to the site, Mbengashe indicated that the city will continue maintaining a strong presence in the area.
"We had to send a message that illegal mining is not right, and when the community gets involved, it is our responsibility to maintain public safety. The ward councillor will engage the community on the dangers of illegal mining. Our teams will maintain a strong presence here, and the issue of the kraal will be resolved with the help of the councillor."
This week, in a statement, DMRE reiterated that any mining activity conducted without the required permits or mining rights, as prescribed by the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), is unlawful and constitutes a criminal offence.
“The Act clearly outlines the mandatory application and approval processes that must be followed by any individual or entity intending to undertake mining activities in South Africa,” the department said.