Illegal Miners Force Families to Flee in South Africa

Armed illegal miners are violently forcing families from their homes in a South African community. The attacks are happening in the Sporong informal settlement, which sits on a rich gold deposit known as the gold reef. Residents report being terrorized by the miners, who are known locally as "zama zamas." This Zulu term means "those who try their luck." The miners are often armed and operate outside the law. The violence has caused multiple families to abandon their homes out of fear. The Sporong settlement is located in Gauteng province, the heart of South Africa's historic gold mining region. Local authorities have acknowledged the problem. They say illegal mining is linked to serious crimes that threaten community safety. Police operations to tackle the issue are ongoing.