Zama-Zamas challenging Minister of Police Bheki Cele. Photo: video screenshot/ Twitter
WATCH: Zama-Zamas tell Bheki Cele to bring soldiers, police too weak for them
Fearless gun-wielding Zama-Zamas have challenged Minister of Police Bheki Cele to deploy something better than the police.
Zama-Zamas challenging Minister of Police Bheki Cele. Photo: video screenshot/ Twitter
Gun-wielding Zama-Zamas (illegal miners) have trended on social media after they told Minister of Police Bheki Cele to assign soldiers instead of the police which they deem weak.
WHAT TRIGGERED THE BHEKI CELE VISIT
This after the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele assured the community of Riverlea, tormented by Zama-Zama gangs, that police are mobilising all its resources and specialised units to restore law and order in the community.
ALSO READ: Riverlea Zama-Zama saga: Bheki Cele mobilises specialised units
However, Operation Dudula, which called on the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to intervene in the scourge against Zama Zamas, populated the video.
“In a video that they posted last night, defiant zama zamas say people must tell Bheki Cele that they want soldiers, not the police as the police are too weak for them.”
Operation Dudula
Yesterday, Monday, 31 July, General Cele led a high-level delegation of senior police officers to the area to assess the local police’s responses to illegal mining in the area and other crime challenges raised by the community.
This after 20 Zama-Zama gang members were wounded and five killed following a gun battle over the weekend.
ALSO READ: GRAPHIC CONTENT: 20 zama zamas shot over illegal mining turf war
General Cele engaged with community leaders and locals in the area and assured them that police are constantly devising strategies and operational plans to combat illegal mining operations in various provinces.
However, Cele’s visit seems as if it did not strike any fear, judging by the disrespectful response to the Police Minister (if it is anything to go by).
ILLEGAL MINING SUCCESSES
According to the police, between 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, 1199 illegal miners were arrested including 100 South Africans, 124 Zimbabweans, 232 Basotho nationals from Lesotho and 79 Mozambicans.
R1, 8 million rand, 9 991 rounds of ammunition, 177 vehicles, 7 trucks, 771 digging tools, 5 TLBs, 233 phendukas and 771 digging tools were seized amongst other items.
