Sporong informal settlement residents living in fear of Zama Zamas

It is hoped that a 24-hour police presence and a mobile station will help stabilise the informal settlement of Sporong on the West Rand following violent clashes linked to illegal mining.

Last week, residents were driven away from their homes by Zama Zamas, and while, for now, there is a sense of calm, anxiety remains close to the surface.

Residents said that while they are grateful for the increased security, they fear that once police numbers drop, the violence linked to Zama Zama activity could return.

West Rand Mayor William Mathafeng Matsheke denies that the situation points to the government failing to provide permanent housing.

"We can't reduce it to failure. We have an appreciation that in South Africa, several people will always be looking for a house, and, unfortunately, demand is higher than expectation."

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Matsheke admits that the rise of Zama Zamas on the West Rand has become an increasingly difficult problem to solve.

“It's something that we have previously reported to the provincial as well as the national government, and this is not an isolated incident that transpired in our own space. There was an incident in Bekkersdaal last year where 12 people were shot."

To listen to Matsheke in conversation with 702 Bongani Bingwa, use the audio player below: