Amid gaping giant holes and scattered remnants of abandoned mining equipment, the community of Bapong in the North West Province finds itself grappling with the precarious aftermath of illegal mining activities.

These treacherous conditions have thrust the once-quiet township into the spotlight following a surge of illegal miners, who sought to scour the ground for precious minerals, turning the everyday lives of residents upside down.

Last month, this community became the centre of attraction after unidentified illegal mining syndicates descended upon the township with a strange request to dig right in their homes for the elusive and lucrative minerals underneath the ground.

According to residents, mostly speaking on condition of anonymity, some residents allowed digging in their yards at an unspecified price, said to be thousands of rand, while others refused the alleged lucrative offers from these alleged syndicates.

Despite reports that significant police crackdowns and more than 20 recent arrests have addressed major community concerns and restored order in the township, residents believe their lives, fundamentally changed by rising safety fears and organised crime, will never return to normal.

“We just do not know how soon this will be over. As you can see, our homes are falling apart. Our children cannot play freely or walk freely to school. We fear they might end up buried in these large holes. We are now forced to make sure that we accompany our children to and from school,” Mavis Molobye, a resident of the area, stated.

According to another resident, Dimakatso Sekobane, it all started in April last year, when she was offered R100,000, allegedly by illegal miners, to vacate her home so they could dig for minerals in her yard.

“I refused. I was not going to leave my home for R100,000 and allow them to dig for whatever they said they were digging for. However, they continued as other residents allowed them to dig in their backyards,” she stated.

Moving around the neighbourhood has been made more difficult by the gaping holes, with scores of expensive mining machinery giving visitors and residents a glimpse into the colossal damage that has been done, leaving residents wondering when the authorities will restore their neighbourhood. 

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: “We did not have a normal festive season. It was a nightmare, really, for all of us living here. Some of our neighbours have left their homes in the aftermath of the damage. We blame those among us who allowed outsiders to come here and dig for the minerals. Now, we are left to pick up the pieces.” 

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Even though illegal mining activities have been halted by the police’s operation Vala Umgodi, some houses and roads have been significantly damaged.

Deputy National Commissioner of Police Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili announced the deployment of police and other law enforcement agencies to the area, with many residents saying this has helped calm the situation as these miners have since fled.

“Indeed, the deployment of police has helped, as we no longer have illegal miners actively operating here. However, the damage is already done,” Sekobane added.

Mosikili said the police and private security officials remain committed to addressing all acts of criminality associated with illegal mining, and ensuring that the government and all affected communities work together.

“These private security officials are actually valid security officials with valid accreditation. They have been appointed to assist in stopping the illegal mining activities that have already led to the loss of lives. We also have learned that some of these illegal miners are forcing house owners out of their homes, and they want to take over.”

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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