Illegal miners living in Samaria informal settlement, just outside Kimberley, Northern Cape, have vowed to continue mining illegally despite alleged harassment by law enforcement agencies.

The Zama Zamas have been making a living by mining near their area despite encountering challenges in their trade. Community members of Samaria informal Settlement say illegal mining has become a way of making a living.

They say they have been extracting diamonds since their occupation of this land some ten years ago. However, they say their job has its risks despite sometimes making roaring small profits.

“We find ourselves from the programme initiated by the government. We, the people of Samaria, are suffering—excluded and harassed by police and soldiers,” laments Micheal Mungoni, an illegal miner.” laments Micheal Mungoni, an illegal miner.

“They must stop fighting us because we have children here in Samaria and now, I am 24 years of age and would love to see them letting us work,” says Tsholofelo Kgorere, another illegal miner.

Despite illegal mining being lucrative in the country and some parts of the continent, some Zama Zamas complain that they are being forced to sell their minerals at a cheaper price.

An illegal miner Piet Makgetla explains “They are buying my diamonds. I have brokers’ notes, I have invoices. I do sell my diamonds.”

“My concern is the government should work with us. We want permits to work. We are concerned that the land we used to do mining there are no minerals anymore. It’s out of our hands because there is a white man who is bullying us here,” adds Gloria Sebeela, another illegal miner.

The illegal miners have urged the government to engage with artisanal miners as they have a role in the country’s economy.

Video: Illegal Mining – Samaria miners urge govt to formalize artisanal mining