The Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW) clinic, a vital sanctuary for animals in the impoverished communities of Durban Deep, is fighting for its survival as rampant illegal mining operations literally dig away at its doorstep, creating a dangerous and untenable situation for staff and animals alike.
The crisis was highlighted in a television interview with CLAW volunteer Michelle Weedman, who detailed the brazen and escalating actions of the illegal miners, known as zama zamas.
According to Weedman, the surface mining activity has intensified dramatically in recent weeks. What was once a problem in the surrounding area has now converged directly on the shelter’s property, severely limiting access and creating significant hazards.
“We’ve managed to operate for a long time now with the zama zamas in the local area,” Weedman stated. “But they are getting closer and closer. It’s quite brazen.”
The shelter, which has operated for over 30 years without running water or electricity, now has only a single point of access after mining activity has blocked roads on three sides. This has made receiving critical daily deliveries, including water trucks to fill their storage tanks, extremely difficult.
“We’ve literally had to dig our way out of our main entrance just to get out,” Weedman revealed, emphasizing that pleas and boundary markers set by staff are “totally ignored.”
The situation turned more dire in the last two weeks when miners entered the shelter’s yard itself. They dug large holes, one of which was significant enough to cause cement garden furniture to collapse into it and preventing vehicles from moving.
The conflict poses a direct threat to safety. Weedman confirmed that the miners are often armed and have exhibited hostile behavior.
“There have been incidents where people have been threatened, rocks have been thrown,” she said, noting that the sound of nightly gunshots in the area is common. Staff and community members are fearful of confrontation, concerned it could lead to being shot or attacked.
Despite repeated calls for help, Weedman says the authorities have offered little to no assistance. She recounted that the official response has sometimes been to suggest the shelter simply relocate—an option she calls unfeasible given CLAW’s deep ties to the communities it serves.
CLAW provides essential services, including primary veterinary healthcare and education on pet ownership, to the local impoverished communities. Its potential closure would leave a massive void.
The standoff in Durban Deep underscores the growing challenge of illegal mining in South Africa, showing how its destructive impact extends beyond economic loss and into the heart of community welfare and safety. For the volunteers and animals at CLAW, the digging continues to get closer, with no solution in sight.
