No will to stop the zama-zamas

LAST year, the so-called zama-zamas (dominated by Lesotho nationals) raped five women filming a movie in West Village, near Krugersdorp. They were apprehended and later released. Whatever happened to justice?

Kagiso residents took to the street, demonstrating against the crimes committed by zama-zamas in their area.

Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, and his crew visited Kagiso. In a packed stadium, Cele promised to stop the zama-zama activities. Did he?

In other areas, Gauteng in particular, there are also serious complaints about zama-zamas. The complaints are about gunshots, murders and crime overall. Police are doing nothing to stop the nonsense.

Last week, residents in Riverlea, near Johannesburg, protested against zama-zamas. They live in fear because of the gunshots near their area and other criminal activities committed by zama-zamas.

Cele visited Riverlea and promised that the police would patrol the area. What’s new? He always comes after the fact and makes hollow promises.

Clearly, there is no political will to stop zama-zamas from destroying our beautiful country and nation.

Are our political leaders benefiting from the zama-zamas’ criminal activities in our country? There is no easy answer.

It’s time we take our government to court to explain why it’s allowing foreign nationals to engage in illegal mining, destroy infrastructure and terrorise communities.

Otherwise, zama-zamas will continue unabated.