SAHRC steps in after zama zama violence forces hundreds to flee Randfontein homes

Fear now hangs heavy over Sporong informal settlement in Randfontein, where entire families have been forced to abandon their homes amid violent threats linked to illegal mining.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has announced it will investigate what it has described as “wanton and organised violence” after approximately 600 families fled the area, claiming they were driven out by heavily armed zama zamas.

Families flee under threat

According to residents, illegal miners threatened to kill community members and kidnap children, leaving families with no choice but to run. Many of the displaced are now sheltering at Randgate Community Hall, relying on emergency assistance and community support.

Images and videos circulating on social media show distraught families carrying what little they could salvage, sparking widespread outrage and renewed questions about safety in mining-affected communities across Gauteng.

[WATCH]: Premier Panyaza Lesufi engaging residents taking shelter at the local community hall after fleeing their homes at the Sporong Informal Settlement in Randfontein, due to victimisation by illegal miners in the area.

Premier outlined a coordinated plan on relocation,… pic.twitter.com/BizZ5mIQgw

Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) January 22, 2026

Illegal mining described as organised crime

During a visit to the area, ATM leader Vuyo Zungula described illegal mining as a growing criminal enterprise, saying the situation in Sporong exposed a deeper failure by the state to protect vulnerable communities.

“What I witnessed is a shameful indictment of government inaction,” Zungula said, adding that no South African should be forced to flee their home because of criminal violence.

SAHRC raises alarm over human rights abuses

SAHRC spokesperson Wisani Baloyi said the commission was gravely concerned by reports of forced displacement and intimidation.

“This violence reflects a broader and deeply troubling pattern experienced by many mining-affected communities across South Africa,” Baloyi said, warning that such acts violate constitutional rights, including the right to life and the right to freedom and security of the person.

He added that the commission has for years raised red flags about illegal and unregulated mining, pointing to serious policy gaps in mine closure, rehabilitation, regulation and policing.

Today, I visited displaced families from the Sporong informal settlement, currently sheltering at Randgate Community Hall in Randfontein. These families were violently driven from their homes by criminal illegal miners while the state failed to protect them. What I witnessed is a… pic.twitter.com/ehXvsYLvCS

Vuyo Zungula MP 🇿🇦 (@ZungulaVuyo) January 21, 2026

Formal investigation launched

The SAHRC’s Gauteng Provincial Office has opened an investigation on its own initiative. The commission will engage with displaced residents, community leaders, the Gauteng Provincial Government, the South African Police Service, and other relevant state institutions.

The goal, Baloyi said, is to ensure urgent protection for affected families, restore safety and stability, and hold those responsible accountable.

Government steps in

On Thursday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, accompanied by Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, met with displaced residents. The provincial government has promised a coordinated intervention focusing on relocation, housing, safety and social support.

The visit comes as the SAHRC prepares for the next phase of its National Inquiry into artisanal mining, which will examine policy frameworks, human rights impacts on surrounding communities, and the enforcement approach under Operation Vala Umgodi from 2 to 4 February 2026.

A familiar crisis, a renewed spotlight

For many in Randfontein, the violence is not new, but the scale of displacement has shocked even long-time residents. Community activists warn that without sustained policing and clear mining regulation, similar crises will continue to erupt.

As families wait anxiously in temporary shelters, the Sporong crisis has become a stark reminder that illegal mining is no longer just an economic or environmental issue, it is a growing human rights emergency unfolding in plain sight.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com