Germiston – The rapid increase in shacks and informal settlements across Ekurhuleni has become a growing security concern for millions of residents. With more informal settlements than the City of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni faces a crisis that is deeply rooted in unemployment, migration, and lack of adequate housing.

Informal settlements, often referred to as “squatter camps,” are mushrooming at an alarming rate across townships and open lands in the municipality. While they provide shelter for many who cannot afford formal housing, these areas are becoming breeding grounds for crime and lawlessness.

One of the most pressing issues linked to the settlements is the rise of illegal mining operations, commonly known as zama-zamas. These miners, operating without licenses or safety regulations, have been accused of fueling violent crime in the region. Armed clashes, robberies, and turf wars have been reported, leaving ordinary residents living in fear.

In addition, illegal immigration has added another layer of complexity to the challenge. Many undocumented migrants seeking refuge in Ekurhuleni end up in informal settlements, where limited law enforcement presence makes it easier for criminal elements to operate unchecked.

Residents have shared harrowing accounts of being robbed on the streets, with some reporting even more serious crimes such as assault and rape. For ordinary South Africans, particularly women and children, simply walking home has become a matter of survival.

“We are living in fear every day,” said a Germiston resident who asked not to be named. “The police come when we call, but by then it’s often too late. These areas are lawless. We don’t feel safe anymore.”

City officials have acknowledged the seriousness of the problem but admit that solutions are not easy. The backlog of housing, coupled with high levels of unemployment, has made it difficult to provide safe and affordable alternatives for people in need. Efforts to upgrade informal settlements and provide basic services have been ongoing, but the scale of the challenge appears overwhelming.

When approached by Germiston News, officials from the City of Ekurhuleni admitted that the municipality is under immense pressure. While community policing forums and metro police have stepped up patrols in some hotspots, the demand far outweighs available resources.

“Security in informal settlements is a multi-faceted issue,” said one municipal representative. “We are dealing not only with crime but also poverty, housing shortages, and undocumented migration. These are national issues that affect local communities.”

Civil society organisations have also raised concerns, urging the government to fast-track housing delivery while strengthening security measures. They argue that leaving informal settlements neglected only worsens inequality and exposes residents—both locals and migrants—to exploitation.

For now, however, the struggle continues. As residents of Germiston and the broader Ekurhuleni region wait for concrete action, the problem remains “a long walk to freedom,” echoing the words of Nelson Mandela, but with urgent demands for safety and dignity.

Until then, millions of lives remain caught between survival and fear in the shadow of Ekurhuleni’s growing informal settlements.