Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read | 22 January 2026

📸 Displaced families take shelter in a Randfontein community hall after fleeing violence linked to illegal mining. Image: Joburg {etc}

More than 400 families have been displaced from the Sporong informal settlement in Randfontein on the West Rand after violence and extortion linked to illegal miners, commonly known as zama zamas, forced residents to flee their homes. Over 600 people, including women and children, are now sheltering in a community hall in the Randfontein CBD, living in what have been described as cramped and unhygienic conditions.

Thirteen days ago, families abandoned their belongings and fled in fear as criminal syndicates allegedly began driving residents out to gain access to mineral-rich land beneath their homes. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has condemned the violence, warning that illegal mining syndicates have operated unchecked for years, allowing criminal networks to become entrenched in vulnerable communities.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, DA Gauteng spokesperson Michael Sun described the situation as “bizarre” and deeply troubling. “This is something that we see probably in the movies where criminal syndicates go into a town and drive out innocent law-abiding citizens so that they can get to what’s underneath their houses,” he said.

Sun added that the crisis highlights years of government inaction. “This criminal empire… has been in hiding for too long. It’s now coming home to roost that the criminals are brazenly driving out residents from their homes,” he said, warning of the trauma faced by “mothers and young children having no place to stay because they simply fear too much of going back to their homes”.

Illegal mining has long plagued the West Rand and other traditional mining towns, with communities such as Rivoli repeatedly affected. Beyond violence, the activity has resulted in widespread infrastructure theft and prolonged power outages. “Those are just the tip of the iceberg,” Sun said.

The DA has called on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to urgently establish a special multi-departmental task team to address the scourge. Sun said relying on the police alone would be insufficient. “We need a multi-pronged approach… specialists in the mining sector, the Department of Mineral Resources, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Asset Forfeiture Unit must come on board,” he said, adding that even military deployment should be considered if necessary.

Attention has also turned to the plight of displaced families. While the community hall has offered temporary shelter, Sun acknowledged it is not a sustainable solution. “To any standard, a community hall cannot be the long-term solution,” he said, stressing that residents must be able to return home safely.

As fear continues to grip the area, calls are growing for decisive action to dismantle illegal mining syndicates and restore safety to communities already living on the margins.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Michael Sun.