IN PICS | Mohlakeng descends into chaos as community burns zama zama homes and belongings

The township of Mohlakeng in the West Rand continued to descend into chaos as fed up community members burnt down houses and belongings that are said to belong to alleged zama zamas.

A man holding a stick reacts next to a fire after community members burned shacks and belongings as they searched for alleged illegal miners known as ‘zama-zamas’ as a protest, following alleged rape of eight models on July 28 when a television crew filmed a music video at a mine dump in the nearby township, in the West Rand, South Africa, on August 8, 2022.
A man holding a stick reacts next to a fire after community members burned shacks and belongings as they searched for alleged illegal miners known as ‘zama-zamas’ as a protest, following alleged rape of eight models on July 28 when a television crew filmed a music video at a mine dump in the nearby township, in the West Rand, South Africa, on August 8, 2022. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

The township of Mohlakeng in the West Rand continued to descend into chaos as fed up community members burnt down houses and belongings that are said to belong to alleged zama zamas.

Residents in Mohlakeng, Randfontein, burned shacks in Extension 11 and ransacked two homes close to mine shafts.
Residents in Mohlakeng, Randfontein, burned shacks in Extension 11 and ransacked two homes close to mine shafts. (ZIPHOZONKE LUSHABA/TimesLIVE)
A man pleads with protesters after community members burned shacks and belongings as they searched for alleged illegal miners known as ‘zama-zamas’ as a protest, following alleged rape of eight models on July 28 when a television crew filmed a music video at a mine dump in the nearby township, in the West Rand, South Africa, August 8, 2022.
A man pleads with protesters after community members burned shacks and belongings as they searched for alleged illegal miners known as ‘zama-zamas’ as a protest, following alleged rape of eight models on July 28 when a television crew filmed a music video at a mine dump in the nearby township, in the West Rand, South Africa, August 8, 2022. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
Illegal miners use mercury to extract gold particles from the sand and rock and then burn off the toxic metal, which turns to vapor and is absorbed by plants, soil and rivers. File photo.
Illegal miners use mercury to extract gold particles from the sand and rock and then burn off the toxic metal, which turns to vapor and is absorbed by plants, soil and rivers. File photo. (Ziphozonke Lushaba)
A local gestures after the burning of shacks and belongings as they searched for alleged illegal miners known as ‘zama-zamas’ as a protest, following alleged rape of eight models on July 28 when a television crew filmed a music video at a mine dump in the nearby township, in the West Rand, South Africa, August 8, 2022.
A local gestures after the burning of shacks and belongings as they searched for alleged illegal miners known as ‘zama-zamas’ as a protest, following alleged rape of eight models on July 28 when a television crew filmed a music video at a mine dump in the nearby township, in the West Rand, South Africa, August 8, 2022. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
Community members protest after a mass rape by illegal miners in Krugersdorp. Zama zamas have forced working gold mines to halt operations in southwestern Johannesburg.
Community members protest after a mass rape by illegal miners in Krugersdorp. Zama zamas have forced working gold mines to halt operations in southwestern Johannesburg. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
Two men accused of being illegal miners were saved by police after being attacked by community members.
Two men accused of being illegal miners were saved by police after being attacked by community members. (Ziphozonke Lushaba/TimesLIVE)
Homes, allegedly of illegal miners, were trashed and belongings burnt.
Homes, allegedly of illegal miners, were trashed and belongings burnt. (ZIPHOZONKE LUSHABA)
Children react as community members burned shacks and belongings as they searched for alleged illegal miners known as ‘zama-zamas’ as a protest, following alleged rape of eight models on July 28 when a television crew filmed a music video at a mine dump in the nearby township, in the West Rand, South Africa, August 8, 2022.
Children react as community members burned shacks and belongings as they searched for alleged illegal miners known as ‘zama-zamas’ as a protest, following alleged rape of eight models on July 28 when a television crew filmed a music video at a mine dump in the nearby township, in the West Rand, South Africa, August 8, 2022. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

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