South Africa’s Police Minister Bheki Cele on Wednesday denied accusations that police officers were losing the battle against illegal miners known as “Zama Zamas” in the troubled mining dumps of western Johannesburg neighbourhoods.
To the contrary, Cele said his officers had arrested 4,000 people in the current campaign and have intensified their efforts to deal with illegal mining across the country.
“My government is not losing the battle against criminal activities related to Zama Zamas,” he said during a panel discussion on a radio programme.
The campaign against the illegal miners started over three weeks ago when dozens of the Zama Zamas allegedly gang-raped eight women who were making a video at a mine dump in Kagiso township.
The police initially arrested at least 80 people three days later, and are now waiting for DNA samples before charging them with various offences, Cele said.
NM/jn/APA