Gold machines seized as cops raid Mathole village

Mathole village outside Roodepoort is a paradise for illegal gold mining.

However, yesterday police disrupted the multimillion-rand underworld industry, seizing large amounts of unprocessed gold and equipment.

In a joint operation, the South African Police Service, Johannesburg Metro Police, Department of Home Affairs, the Hawks and Joburg Water authorities arrested about 15 illegal miners and demolished several shacks where gold processing machines – known as “phenduka ”– were stored.

A 29-year-old illegal miner from Mthatha in Eastern Cape, who wished to remain anonymous, told Sowetan that despite the police’s efforts to shut down their operation, the police wouldn’t win. “This is our life. We don’t kill or rape anyone. We go to these unused mines to get the gold.

“We get this gold from dilapidated mines in Roodepoort, Langlaagte, Florida and Springs,” he said.

The illegal miner said it would be difficult for police to close down the illegal gold mining syndicate. He and his friends spend three days to a week underground extracting the mineral.

“When we come back from underground, we then spend a day processing it and it becomes ready to be sold,” he said.

Another illegal miner said a gram of gold can be sold at R450 while processing chemicalscostaboutR1 000.

“When the gold is ready, we take it to our connections in Joburg to sell it. Some of the clients come from Brazil, America and other African countries,” he said.

He said the area attracted all kinds of people coming to purchase gold. A single explosive used in mining costs about R600.

The miner said he bought a car and built his mother a house with money from illegal mining.

“The problem is that it [money] does not last because you can’t take it to the bank, they will get suspicious. We keep it at home,” he said.

Some of the miners have accused the police of conniving with rival groups to seize their gold. Roodepoort police station commander Brigadier Sam Manala said the area had become notorious for illegal miners killing each other.