Abandoned School Becomes Hostel for Illegal Miners on West Rand

Randfontein – An abandoned school on the West Rand has become a fortress for illegal miners, who have turned the once-bustling classrooms into living quarters and processing sites for illicit gold, leaving local residents in fear and calling for urgent government help.

The Ekuphakameni Combined School, left empty seven years ago, now stands as a no-go zone patrolled by heavily armed zama zamas – the name for illegal miners in South Africa. Community members say the area has turned into a battlefield of gun violence, with the miners evicting people from nearby homes and creating a climate of terror. This takeover highlights the growing problem of vacant buildings being seized by criminal groups in Gauteng, where illegal mining fuels violence and drains resources from struggling neighbourhoods. As families live in siege-like conditions, the cry for action grows louder, urging authorities to reclaim these spaces and protect vulnerable communities from the dangers of underground crime.

The Takeover: From Classrooms to Criminal Hideouts

The transformation of Ekuphakameni Combined School began quietly but quickly escalated into a full occupation. Illegal miners, drawn to the West Rand’s rich gold deposits, saw the empty building as a perfect base. They converted classrooms into sleeping areas, complete with makeshift beds and cooking spots, while other rooms became hubs for sorting and processing stolen gold ore. Armed men now guard the perimeter, turning what was once a place of learning into a fortified camp that locals avoid at all costs.

Residents report hearing gunshots at night and seeing groups of men coming and going with mining tools. The school’s grounds, meant for children to play, are now littered with waste from the operations, creating health hazards like contaminated water and disease risks. For someone trying to picture this, imagine a schoolyard where swings rust unused while rough men stand watch with rifles, a stark shift from books and bells to bullets and fear.

This is not an isolated case. Similar takeovers have happened in nearby informal settlements like Sporong near Randfontein, where illegal miners have evicted hundreds through violence and threats. The West Rand, with its history of gold mining, attracts zama zamas from across borders, who dig in old shafts and sell the ore on black markets. These activities not only steal from legal mines but bring guns, drugs, and fights into quiet areas, making life hard for families who have lived there for generations.

Community Under Siege: Fear and Calls for Help

Locals in the village around Ekuphakameni say they are “under siege,” with the miners creating a no-go zone that blocks access to nearby paths and water sources. “We are under siege,” one resident shared, describing how the area feels like a war zone with constant tension. Children cannot play outside safely, and women fear walking alone due to reports of assaults and robberies.

The takeover has sparked urgent calls for government action. Community leaders want police raids to clear the school and secure vacant properties across Gauteng. They point to the dangers of these spots becoming breeding grounds for crime, where illegal miners process gold using toxic chemicals like mercury that pollute rivers and soil, harming health and farms. In Randfontein, where poverty is high, this adds to struggles like joblessness, as legal mining jobs dwindle while illegal ones thrive in the shadows.

Broader issues in Gauteng show a pattern – abandoned buildings, from schools to factories, are prime targets for zama zamas. In Johannesburg alone, over 200 such sites have been flagged, with some turning into full-blown mining camps. Residents call for better security like fences and patrols, plus programs to rehabilitate these buildings into community centres or housing to prevent takeovers.

The Dangers of Illegal Mining: Lives and Livelihoods at Risk

Illegal mining, or zama zama activity, is a massive problem in South Africa, costing the economy billions in lost revenue and causing hundreds of deaths yearly from collapses or clashes. On the West Rand, old mine shafts draw desperate men seeking quick cash, but the work is deadly – poisonous gases, falls, and gang fights claim lives regularly. In 2025, over 100 zama zamas died in Gauteng alone, many from accidents in unsafe tunnels.

For communities, the risks go beyond violence. Gold processing uses harmful chemicals that seep into water, causing illnesses like skin rashes and breathing problems. Kids playing near these sites face dangers from open pits or toxic waste. The takeover of Ekuphakameni adds to this, as the school’s location near residential areas puts families in direct harm’s way.

Government has stepped up operations, like the Vala Umgodi initiative in 2025 that arrested over 1,000 illegal miners and sealed shafts. But critics say more is needed – job creation for locals, better border controls to stop foreign recruits, and rehab for addicts drawn to the lifestyle. In Randfontein, where mining history runs deep, residents want a balance that revives legal jobs without the crime.

Government Response: Efforts to Reclaim and Secure

Officials in Gauteng have acknowledged the problem, with plans to evict occupiers from vacant properties and boost security. In 2025, the province launched audits of abandoned buildings, identifying over 500 at risk. For Ekuphakameni, police have increased patrols, but locals say raids are rare due to the miners’ arms.

The Department of Education has faced heat for leaving schools empty, with calls to repurpose them for community use or demolish to avoid takeovers. National efforts include multi-agency teams targeting zama zamas, seizing equipment worth millions last year. But challenges remain – miners often flee underground, making arrests hard.

Communities push for dialogue too, with forums where locals and officials plan prevention. This could include youth programs to steer kids away from mining lures, offering skills in trades or tech instead.

Hope for the Future: Turning Abandoned Spaces into Assets

As the siege at Ekuphakameni continues, there is hope that government action will reclaim the school and turn it into something positive – perhaps a training centre or park. Success stories from other areas, like Johannesburg’s inner-city revamps, show how vacant spots can become community hubs with investment.

For West Rand residents, ending the takeover means safer nights and a return to normal life. The story of this abandoned school turned hostel serves as a wake-up call, urging faster fixes to protect communities from the shadows of illegal mining. With unity and action, the area can reclaim its peace and build a brighter path for all.

🔴Central News Special Edition | Issue 125: Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Vanderbijlpark Scholar Transport Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 14 as Investigations Continue🔴

Download Here:

Direct PDF File Here:

https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Central-News-Issue-125.pdf

Read all our publications on magzter:

https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues

Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content,  Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.

We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.

Advertisement:

To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za

For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za

Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za

General Info: info@centralnews.co.za

Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za

Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487

Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za

Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube