Hundreds of other residents of the area just west of Johannesburg fled two weeks ago, terrorised by violence, extortion and threats they blame on increasingly brazen illegal gold miners. Taking refuge in a community hall 11 kilometres (seven miles) from their homes, the displaced people of Sporong are among several communities living in fear of the several thousand illegal miners estimated to be operating in South Africa. Sporong is an informal settlement about 50 kilometres from Johannesburg, South Africa's economic capital that was built on a gold rush 140 years ago. The illegal miners -- known as "zama zamas" -- are after the riches that lie in the ground beneath their humble homes, said Julian Mameng, one of the residents who opted to leave. Police said on Thursday they would step up operations to flush out illegal miners at Sporong, including deploying two armoured trucks.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 23, 2026 07:37 UTC