Residents of Kagiso in Mogale City brought the township to a standstill early today demanding that illegal mine dumps or tailings that are harbouring zama zamas be permanently closed. Residents claim that every day, they come across dead bodies in their area and crime levels are at a peak. They blocked roads with burning tyres and tree branches.

A community leader, Karabo Yumba, said police efforts to get rid of zama zamas in the area are in vain because the private sector is involved in illegal mining activities. Yumba said zama zamas are used as cheap labourers because big companies don't want to pay. "Whether we like it or not, zama zamas are employed by someone, there are kingpins behind these operations, and if we turn a blind eye to this fact, we are doomed. I know for a fact that this mine that was re-opened last year has hired illegal miners as the majority of their staff because it's cheap labour. They don't have to pay the UIF, medical aid or a 13th cheque. If a zama zama dies today, they are replaced tomorrow," he said. Yumba said the mine can employ 3000 young people who will be guaranteed jobs for the next 25 years. "There's tons of gold to be extracted from that mine and our young people can benefit from this. Instead, the youth is dying under the terror of zama zamas who at times fight against each other," he said.

For taxi operators, it was business as usual with commuters being told not to mind the protesters. A taxi driver said they were in support of the protest but they have to continue working. " Unfortunately by the end of the evening, we need to have money because at the end of the month, the banks won't care if there was a protest. They will demand their instalment. They are fighting for a worthy course because the horror stories we hear about illegal miners are confirmation that we are not safe until they are all rooted out," he said. A year ago, Kagiso residents took to the streets in protest against illegal miners whom they accused of being behind crimes in the township.