Wedela zama zamas offer police information to help find mass shooting suspects

Illegal miners whose fellow zama zamas were among those killed in the Wedela mass shooting say they are prepared to give police information that could help identify the alleged attackers.

The miners claim they know who was behind the shooting and what sparked the violence, but say they are afraid to approach authorities because they fear being arrested themselves.

Their offer comes as tensions remain high in the West Rand community following the deadly attack on 26 September, which left 18 people dead and more than 10 injured.

Zama zamas say they fear more bloodshed

Several illegal miners told The Citizen that they are living in fear following the shooting and are worried that further violence could erupt if the alleged perpetrators are not arrested.

One miner claimed that the attack was linked to tensions between rival groups of illegal miners operating around Wedela and Carletonville.

According to the miner, the groups are largely made up of nationals from Lesotho and have been involved in disputes over mining territory.

He claimed the conflict escalated after one group allegedly attempted to force another out of an area where they were mining.

“We know who they are and why they attacked us,” the miner said, while claiming that innocent community members were also caught up in the violence.

He said the miners would be willing to tell investigators what they know if police could assure them they would not be arrested during the process.

Claims of a rival mining group

The miner alleged that the suspected attackers belonged to a group operating closer to Carletonville.

He also claimed that one alleged leader had been arrested in Lesotho, although this could not independently be confirmed.

The miner described the alleged leader as a former member of the Lesotho Defence Force and claimed he had connections with influential people.

These claims have not been independently verified.

Another zama zama said seven members of their group were among those killed in the shooting.

He also urged police to speak to the miners before the situation deteriorates further.

The miners claimed the rival group had access to more money and could allegedly use it to influence officials. These claims have also not been independently verified.

Fear of retaliation grows

The miners warned that continued delays in identifying and arresting the alleged perpetrators could trigger retaliation.

One said they wanted the suspects to be arrested in South Africa if they were found, rather than simply returning to Lesotho.

The concerns extend beyond the illegal mining community.

Wedela residents have also described feeling increasingly unsafe following the shooting.

During a visit to the area, blood was reportedly still visible on a road near the tavern where the attack happened.

One woman said she had decided to leave the area after the latest violence, explaining that her family no longer felt safe.

“It is not the first time killings have happened here, but this time it is too much,” she said.

Police remain tight-lipped

The mass shooting has left investigators facing pressure to establish who carried out the attack and what led to the violence.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi declined to provide further details about the investigation.

She also declined to comment specifically on the offer from the zama zamas to provide information, saying that doing so could “jeopardise the investigation”.

For residents of Wedela, the fear now extends beyond the initial shooting, with concerns that unresolved tensions between rival groups could result in further violence.

The miners’ offer to cooperate with police could potentially provide investigators with information about the suspects and the alleged motive, but any claims they provide will still need to be independently investigated and verified.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com

Source: The Citizen