Police urged to engage zama zamas over Wedela mass shooting

Security and criminology experts are urging police to engage with zama zamas, who have offered information that could aid in identifying the perpetrators of the Wedela mass shooting in Carletonville. The shooting, which left 18 dead and several injured, has prompted Parliament’s portfolio committee on police chair Ian Cameron to emphasize the importance of considering any information that could lead to suspect identification.

Cameron stated that police must take such information seriously without endorsing illegal mining or excusing criminal conduct. He advised that if individuals are reluctant to approach local police due to perceived corruption, provincial leadership should facilitate secure communication with investigators outside the local station.

Parliament’s portfolio committee on police chair Ian Cameron emphasized that any information from zama zamas should be tested, corroborated, and not merely accepted based on self-proclaimed knowledge. In cases where suspects are located in Lesotho, Cameron suggested that police, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the department of justice coordinate with their counterparts there.

Professor Willem Els, a security expert from the Institute for Security Studies, recommended that police meet with the illegal miners to hear their perspectives. Els noted that the miners' willingness to assist could prove invaluable in solving the case.

Criminologist Kholofelo Rakubu from Tshwane University of Technology reiterated that the source of information should not be disregarded solely because it originates from illegal miners. Instead, he emphasized that the credibility, specificity, and verifiability of the information are crucial factors in assessing its value to the investigation.

Rakubu stressed that cooperation should not imply immunity from prosecution or legitimize illegal mining activities. She pointed out that criminal investigations often rely on individuals within or closely associated with criminal networks, where secrecy, loyalty, and fear can hinder cooperation. Rakubu highlighted that sometimes, those within the network possess the most valuable information for advancing an investigation.