Gauteng govt pledges security and aid to displaced Sporong families

The Gauteng government has promised relief for the residents of Sporong informal settlement who were driven away from their homes by zama zamas. 

More than 600 people have taken refuge at the Randgate community hall in Rand West.
 
Several of the province’s political and policing heads have arrived in the area this morning for an oversight inspection.

There are at least 50 police cars parked in the area.

Government officials conducted an oversight inspection at the Sporong informal settlement on Thursday.

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The sight of heavily armed police officers carrying automatic rifles is what the displaced community members say they have been pleading for here, for many years.

Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said law enforcement is aware of the Zama zama issues in the area.

“We are working closely with the community, and we have heard their concerns. We have made a commitment as directed by the Premier. We will, of course, be on the ground in this place; we have been on the ground in this place, but we want to reinforce.”
 
Community members say today’s police visibility should be an everyday thing and not a one-day event.