Illegal chrome miners leave deep pits beside Bapong homes
Some pits dug by an illegal mining syndicate in Bapong village, North West, are 10 metres deep. Residents say several homes are close to collapse, and the pits lie near homes and schools.
The syndicate used excavators for illegal chrome mining in the village late last year. It dug across public land and residents' yards, and also beneath homes. Resident Nomawethu Jabavu said a pit has swallowed her front yard.
Jabavu fears for her children. She said: "I'm really scared for my children's lives. What if they fall in while playing?"
Some residents told reporters the syndicate offered them about R100,000 to give up their homes. Resident Kholeka Mtya said some people were offered money for their yards and never received it.
The government has handed the village to the South African National Defence Force and police. They monitor it to stop the syndicate from returning.
Key facts
- Who
- Nomawethu Jabavu (Bapong resident whose front yard has been swallowed by a pit); Kholeka Mtya (Bapong resident); South African National Defence Force (handed over control of the village with police)
- What
- Late last year an illegal chrome mining operation with excavators hit Bapong village, leaving deep pits close to homes and schools; the government has handed the village to the SANDF and police, who monitor it to prevent the syndicate returning.
- When
- Late 2025 (described as "late last year")
- Where
- Bapong village, North West, South Africa
- Status
- Reported