Who are South Africa’s Zama Zamas?

The term Zama Zama is a slang word in isiZulu, one of South Africa's official languages and loosely translates to ‘someone who is trying’ or a ‘hustler’. 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’s 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.