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MORE and more women are moving into illegal mining.
They say gone are the days when men were the only ones going underground. Some have joined their partners and brothers to conduct these illegal activities.
Initially, women used to join zama zamas selling food to them, but now the tables have turned.
These women, mostly from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, do surface mining at the Daggafontein Mine Dumps in Springs, Ekurhuleni, South Africa.
Daily Sun interviewed some of these women to ask them why they decided to do illegal mining.
One said: “I used to see my brother doing it, and they seemed dedicated. One day, I decided to go with them. There are no jobs, and illegal mining is the only thing to do to feed our children,” said another female zama zama..
“We’re prepared to go underground if we’re forced to.”
They said although it’s scary because of the police, they’re happy with the little they get.
“When the police come, we can’t run as fast as men. Men sprint, but we get caught without the police putting much effort to chase us.
“They say their only means of escape is running into the Blesbok River to hide in the reeds. But we also know Blesbok is dangerous, and we may be swallowed by snakes. Come the rainy season, we may not even dare, unless one wants to be swept away,” said a female zama zama.
On Monday, 26 August, scores of illegal miners were hospitalised after police and soldiers burnt the reeds, which led to them sustaining injuries. Women were among them.
These women are so well-trained by their male relatives and partners that they are able to identify if the rock has gold or not. One woman said they go up the mine dump or sometimes work at its feet to collect rocks that look like they have gold deposits.
“I put them in a bucket, and when I get home, I break them into small pieces using a hammer,” she said.
After making the amount she needs, she takes it to the men who grind the stones, sieve, and wash them to see if there’s gold. On a good day, she said, she can make R500 from a 20-litre bucket.
“With that, I’m able to buy my kids something to eat.”
But Captain Nelda Sekgobela, spokeswoman for Ekurhuleni police, warned they’re not leaving any stone unturned to fight illegal mining. (www.snl24.com)
derick.khumalo