“Go After the Kingpins,” MACUA declares amid police probe into North West shooting of five men

In a small North West township, tragedy struck hard when five men were shot dead by police during what officials labelled an operation gone wrong. As law enforcement mobilises, community organisation MACUA is calling for a different target: the alleged kingpins they believe orchestrate unrest from beneath.

A deadly encounter sparks deeper questions

Police were executing an operation when gunfire erupted, leaving five men dead. Details remain unclear. What’s certain is anger is spreading not just over the deaths, but over who should be held accountable.

Community group MACUA, which often advocates for mining-affected regions, responded swiftly. Their message: stop scapegoating young men on the streets, and go after those truly in control underground.

Who are the “kingpins”?

MACUA refers to alleged criminal masterminds believed to be orchestrating illegal mining, exploitation, and violence particularly in the Stilfontein area. These are not the men on the streets, but figures who wield influence from the shadows.

“If you’re starving underground for two months and food arrives, will you let one person hoard it?” MACUA’s spokesperson asked in a voice that echoed through township discussion circles, emphasising the absurdity of blaming only street-level actors.

Community reaction is mixed

On social media and in local taverns, voices are waking.

• Some communities question the force and transparency of police operations. Why did it escalate to fatal shots?

• Others express a cautious understanding: police face dangerous situations every day. But most agree that hunting mid-level operatives won’t solve the root problem.

Local chatter is clear: unless investigations follow the full chain including financiers, organizers, and gatekeepers underground this cycle of violence will play out again.

Why it matters

The story goes beyond a single incident. It’s about how South Africa handles crime structures that hide beneath desperation. Illegal mining, referred to as zama-zama operations, thrives when poverty and weak oversight intertwine.

MACUA’s demand to “go after the kingpins” signals a growing call for upstream accountability examining who benefits, who profits, and who stays untouchable.

{Source: IOL}

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