Zama zamas’ gun battle sends Primrose residents fleeing

On Wednesday night, a gun battle erupted between rival zama zama groups in Primrose, Germiston, forcing local residents to flee their homes. The conflict is reportedly linked to a turf war over the Simmer and Jack mine dump, a site known for its gold-rich underground shafts. Last week, a 16-year-old boy and a security guard were wounded in a separate shooting in the area.

Tracy Enslin, chair of the Primrose Community Policing Forum, described the incident as another serious shoot-out, emphasizing that bullets hit some houses during the brawl. Enslin reported receiving information about the shooting from an informant in a settlement opposite the dump, which she shared with the police. She also heard reports that illegal miners were injured and taken to the hospital in private vehicles.

The fighting is centered around a shaft called Kwa Magogo, behind the Simmer and Jack dump, which is believed to contain even more gold. Enslin warned that the ongoing territorial battles could claim innocent lives and hopes for a long-term deployment of the South African National Defence Force to stabilize the area and curb illegal mining activities. She called for the police to take the issue more seriously, as previous warnings from authorities have been dismissed by the community.

Reports from the Gauteng Provincial Joint Operations Centre and Gauteng Police Board Community Intelligence advised residents to stay indoors and avoid the affected area while the police dealt with the situation. Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Mudau confirmed the shooting, stating that Germiston crime prevention officers came under fire when they responded to the incident. No injuries were reported among the police, and no arrests had been made at the time of the report.