THE CASE against suspects involved in raping in Krugesdorp, West Rand, continues today at Krugersdorp Magistrate Court.
The seven of more than 80 were arrested in a police-blitz last month, following the raping of eight young women, who were filming a music video at a disused mine by Basotho blankets men known as ‘Marashea’.
They appeared at the in Court on Wednesday alongside their co-accused, where they face charges of robbery and the contravention of the Immigration Act.
As a result of unrest Police new tactical response team known as “AmaBherete” were deployed to the area after unrest on Monday as community members took matters into their own hands, ransacking and burning down the homes of alleged zama zamas in an effort to clamp down on informal operations.
Communities have had enough and also took arms to protect their families, whom many were either raped or murdered by these ‘Marashea’.
They also blamed Police for colluding with zama zamas, some going as far as possessing evidence of Police vans making its way to these disused mines on several occasions.
Police Minister Bheki Cele also took flak from communities for delaying in deploying ‘Amaberethe’.
The ANC NEC and Krugersdorp resident Nomvula Mokonyane, who was at Court on Wednesday, says they will support all measures to quell this unrest by illegal immigrants in the area and in South Africa.
“As a member of this community we will fight for the closure of all illegal mines in this area, as zama zamas now kill and rape our children. This has to stop with immediate effect. We do have faith in the law and that appropriate measures would be taken against these perpetrators,” she said.
These zama-zamas mostly originate from Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
‘Marashea’ who are Lesotho descendants have been living in mzansi for years but until now are heavily armed, rape and kill as they please in the area.
Of the 81, only 70 suspects appeared in court on Wednesday. Others are expected to appear on Thursday, today.
Image (Gotcha. Zama Zamas caught in the act in one of disused mines in Krugersdorp).
