Tunatazama - Community Monitors

Work In Progress: Ghost Towns in the Free State

Welkom ( GUBICO)

A lot of mines are closing around Welkom, Free Sate. One example of this is in the town of Virginia, which has become a ghost town. The mining companies left dangerous open shafts in the area, shops are closing and the infrastructure is crumbling for the remaining inhabitants.

This area is the focus of GUBICO’s investigation:

How and why did Virginia become a ghost town and what are the plans for the future? Companies, municipalities and others will have to be held accountable.