Chaos erupted in Slovo Park, Springs, on Friday, 4 July, when a powerful explosion destroyed an RDP house and caused widespread damage to neighboring homes. The blast, allegedly caused by illegal miners known as zama zamas storing explosives in the house, left several residents injured and sparked community outrage.
The explosion occurred in the early hours of the morning and had devastating consequences. One RDP house was completely leveled, while several surrounding homes were damaged—windows shattered, ceilings collapsed, and roofs were blown off by the force of the blast.
Disaster struck without warning, leaving the community in shock. According to local resident Emili Letswalo, the explosion caused major damage to her home.
“My ceiling collapsed, my windows are shattered, and even my garage door is damaged. I don’t know how I’m going to fix this. I don’t work, and I need help. We still don’t understand what happened,” said a distressed Emili.
Emergency services responded swiftly, and multiple injured residents were transported to nearby hospitals—some by ambulance, others in private vehicles. The full extent of the injuries is still being assessed.
The explosion has reignited long-standing tensions between residents and zama zamas in the area. Community members say they’ve had enough and are demanding immediate action. Many are calling for the eviction of zama zamas from the neighborhood, blaming them for endangering lives with their illegal activities.
“We’re tired. These zama zamas are turning our community into a war zone. We’re not going to wait for more people to die. They must leave,” said one angry resident at the scene.
The owner of the destroyed house is believed to be among those hospitalized, though his identity and condition have not yet been confirmed.
William Ntladi, spokesperson for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services, confirmed the explosion and said the South African Police Service’s bomb squad is now investigating the cause.
“There was indeed an explosion. The SAPS bomb squad is on the scene to determine the type of explosives used. At this stage, we understand three individuals were transported to hospital by private car,” Ntladi stated.
Authorities are also working to assess the structural damage to nearby properties and ensure the safety of residents.
The incident highlights the growing concern over illegal mining operations in urban residential areas. Zama zamas have been linked to several violent and destructive events across Gauteng, with communities often caught in the crossfire or left to pick up the pieces after tragedy strikes.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available.