Springs "Gold Rush" community unhappy with closure of trenches

Some community members at the Gugulethu informal settlement in Springs, Ekurhuleni, have warned they might be forced to resort to crime to survive after law enforcement shut down an illegal mining site in the area.

Over the past few days, a kraal in the settlement has been at the heart of a mini gold rush, following rumours of gold particles being found in the ground.

On Friday, several government agencies were deployed to the area where the trenches dug by the community were refilled.

The community watched helplessly as government trucks filled up the holes they'd been digging in the search for gold.

Residents say there were some who struck gold and sold it for anything between R1000 and R1300.

One of the community leaders, Thembelani Mazaleni, told EWN the site gave hope to the many poor and unemployed people in the area.

"Many people are poorer because of this place closing down because at least they were benefitting. Many people are unemployed here, so I don’t know where they are going to get food from; maybe they should start breaking into people’s homes and stealing."

Law enforcement authorities have warned the community they will be arrested should they attempt to start mining the area again.