A deadly shooting erupted in Riverlea, on Saturday night, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Riverlea shooting: Here’s everything we know
Details about the shooting were still scarce when this article was published. However, in a statement, the Democratic Alliance (DA) revealed residents of the Johannesburg suburb were stricken with fear seeing “gangs of men armed with automatic weapons moving through suburban areas and heavy gunfire.”
From what we understand, up to 20 people were shot during the violent confrontation. Some brave residents stepped in to provide immediate medical assistance to the wounded while waiting for ambulances to arrive.
“Videos being circulated show armed men moving through the suburb and to the sound of continuous automatic gunfire. Other local reports say one gang left the area carrying what appeared to be two bodies wrapped in blankets,” the DA revealed.
Past Incidents and Lack of Police Presence
The Riverlea area has been plagued by clashes between rival mining gangs for months.
Last week, a Riverlea resident was tragically killed in the crossfire. It remains unclear whether this incident involved rival gangs or the police. T
he Zamamphilo mining settlement, where much of the illegal mining and gold processing occurs, has become a hotbed of criminal activity. Windows are regularly shattered, and cars are damaged by stray bullets as gangs vie for control over the area.
Threats to Safety and Infrastructure
The Zamamphilo settlement poses significant safety concerns as it sits atop the buried Transnet fuel pipeline and a major high-pressure water main.
“There have been many gunbattles in and around Zamimphilo and Riverlea for months. Police are usually absent from these battles. Whether they are involved or not, it seems they do not issue public statements about it.
“The same is true about police actions, if any, against illegal miners countrywide. The failure of the police to inform the public about what is happening and what they are doing about it is unacceptable in a democracy,” the opposition party noted.
The DA raised concerns about the lack of clear communication from the police regarding their actions against illegal miners and gangs.
“The DA calls on police to tell the public what they are doing about illegal miners in Riverlea. Until they do so, the belief will spread that police are too weak to tackle the gangs or else they are paid off to do nothing proactive about the centre of criminality that is Zamimphilo,” the party called.