Kagiso protests laid bare SA’s ‘many challenges’ - Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa delivered the closing address at the presidential social sector summit in Boksburg on Friday morning. 

Illegal miners, commonly referred to as zama zamas, have been in the spotlight since the gang rape of eight women at a mine dump in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg. 

On Thursday, disgruntled members of the local community in Kagiso took it upon themselves to hunt down miners without permits, sealing makeshift shafts and burning homes. 

Ramaphosa told delegates South Africans are confronted by lawlessness, corruption, gender-based violence, and hunger.

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“Over the past few days, we have witnessed scenes of violent protest, damage to public infrastructure and, in some cases, loss of life in areas such as Kagiso in the West Rand and Tembisa in Ekurhuleni,” he said. 

“These incidents are of grave concern and highlight many of the challenges our country faces.” 

Ramaphosa said there is a need to distinguish between legitimate protest and criminality.

“We can all understand the public outrage in Kagiso sparked by the gang rape of eight young women last week and we all deeply and sincerely share in the pain of the victims, their families and the neighbouring communities.

“This horrific crime is a reminder that as government, and as a society, we must do more to tackle gender-based violence.”