FOREIGNERS ONLY PAY E300 TO LOOT SWATI GOLD

PIGG’S PEAK—The Pigg’s Peak Gold Mine was established 140 years ago and has been closed for over two decades, but today, illegal miners, popularly known as zama zamas, have revived it.

This includes zama zamas from countries such as Lesotho, South Africa (SA) and Botswana, who are taking advantage of the mine’s easy access and digging for gold alongside emaSwati.
The mine is situated at a place known as Old Pigg’s Peak, about five kilometres from Pigg’s Peak Town. In the late 1800s, the mine was alive with Gold mining. It is also here that the town of Pigg’s Peak was established and founded by William Pigg.  This is also where the town Pigg’s Peak got its name. The town’s location was then moved five kilometres further to what is today known as Pigg’s Peak.

After nearly a hundred years of mining, the Pigg’s Peak Mine was closed in the early 1970s. Though today it may appear as a desolate place, underneath it, zama zamas, usually in groups of 20, take turns in illegally mining the gold. They spend about three days underground, risking their lives as they do not wear gear fit for mining, and the tunnels can collapse and bury them alive anytime. The illegal miners also do not have good lighting underground or enough oxygen.

Effortless

This publication got first-hand information from one of the illegal miners *Godo. He has been mining for the past five years and is a liSwati. He revealed that it is effortless for anyone to go in and mine the gold. He was asked how this was possible since the presence of soldiers secured the facility. “We pay them between E200 to E300,” he alleged. He alleged that the payment meant one could enter the mine and dig for gold. However, this allegation against the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) could not be proven. Godo was asked why he did not get legal employment, opting to commit a crime. He revealed that he worked for one of the forestry companies, but needed to supplement his pay. “Illegal gold mining may be risky, and you may judge, but the money I make is quite high. In just three days, we made E25 000,” he alleged.

He said he worked with three others as a team and that they shared the E25 000. Godo said the illegal mining had helped revive Pigg’s Peak because the shops were now busy with zama zamas spending money. One thing he mentioned was that it was scary to get into the tunnels, but he added that the rewards were very high. As a result, he said many people are now risking their lives to enter the old mine and dig for gold. Godo said one had to be prepared with meals for at least three days under the ground. He said because it is not easy to cook in the tunnels, the miners relied on getting tinned foods that are easy to store.

Revealed

Further, he revealed that one of the most desired foods is a cereal known as Morvite, made from a blend of malted barley, maize and other grains. The cereal is packed and ready to eat; one only needs to add water or milk. Godo said this is the preferred food for the miners. Further, he said the miners made sure water is always available. However, he revealed that water is available underground in the tunnels. He said this water is used for cleaning the mud off the gold and also for drinking.

Meanwhile, last Saturday, this publication reported how illegal miners are now searching for gold along the river banks at Malantalahle, a township under Pigg’s Peak. It was reported that the illegal mining is being done along the Mangwaneni River. In the same story, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy expressed environmental, safety and security concerns. Sikelela Khoza, the ministry’s Communications Officer, said the ministry is dedicated to curbing illegal mining, which has a negative impact in the country.

He revealed that awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of illegal mining, how it affects the development of the economy and the importance of following proper mining procedures are conducted through different platforms, such as a national radio programme and social media. Khoza stated that the ministry had increased surveillance in areas prone to illegal mining activities through the assistance of the UEDF and urged the public to report any illegal mining activities to the police.

The Public Affairs Officer of UEDF, Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo, was also reached for comment on the concerns that soldiers were charging illegal miners. I am doing a story regarding the illicit mining of gold in Pigg’s Peak at the old Pigg’s Peak Mine. We have gathered that despite the site being guarded by members of the army, illegal miners have continued to mine the gold there.

Concerns

Also, there are allegations that illegal miners pay between E200 and E300 to enter the mine and do the illegal mining. Are you aware of such concerns? What steps does the army take to curb illegal mining activities? Is the mine still under the guard of the military? Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, when reached for comment, stated that, as the police, they are not in the correct position to comment on it. “Our duty is that when a crime is committed, we arrest,” she said. However, since they were not in the correct position to comment on the matter, this particular issue requires the government as a whole.
*Not real name.

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