Who are South Africa鈥檚 Zama Zamas?
With recent gang rapes of women in South Africa, a group thought to be behind the crimes are back in the news. Who are they?
The term Zama Zama is a slang word in isiZulu, one of South Africa's official languages and loosely translates to 鈥榮omeone who is trying鈥� or a 鈥榟ustler鈥�.
They are young miners, largely illegal, who take advantage of the lucrative mining industry in South Africa.
They are back in the news after a gang rape of eight women near Johannesburg.
The women had been shooting a music video at an abandoned mine, when they were attacked by a group of men, both locals and police say are the Zama Zamas.
So who are these people who are striking fear in many communities in South Africa?
Africa Daily鈥檚 Mpho Lakaje has been speaking to Frans Baleni, a former Secretary General of the National Union of Mineworkers with extensive knowledge on the Zama Zamas.
He also heard a personal account from a victim and local councillor, Kenny Moeng on how communities are coping.
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