The DA says the residents who live in the surrounding areas of Lourenspark live in fear as there are constant shootouts taking place at night.

The claims come a few days after the triple murder in Kanana’s Chris Hani section suspected to have been fuelled by a deal gone wrong through the zama zama scheme when three people believed to be from Lesotho were shot dead on Friday night.

Matlosana DA councillor, Chris Bester, says residents say the sounds of bullets continues to wreak havoc in the neighbourhood and has become a part of their daily lives. According to Bester, residents say some bullets go through windows and walls of the surrounding houses.

The zama zama issue has been a headache for the Free State police with several arrests made by the police in the Welkom area in recent months.

In March 2019, more than 70 zama zamas were arrested at Slime dam at Allanridge near Welkom.

The 71 suspects, who hail from Lesotho, were facing charges of trespassing, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice.

“When this zama zama war started, AngloGold Ashanti Security tried to intervene, but without success.” The mining company poured concrete to cover the entrance of the shaft, this only lasted a short while before the zama zamas broke through it, he adds.

Bester further says the local police have tried to intervene but failed in their efforts, they claim that it is too dangerous to act at night and have requested that a high mass light be erected. “Residents cannot continue to live under fear and under threat as criminal activities remain unaddressed,” Bester says.

OFM News