APA-Pretoria (South Africa) President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed over 3,000 soldiers to assist the police in the fight against illegal mining activities across South Africa over the next six months.
In a statement on Thursday, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa had authorised the deployment of 3,300 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to work with the South African Police Service in conducting an operation against illegal miners.
“The president has authorised the employment of 3,300 members of the SANDF for service in cooperation with the police to prevent and combat crime and maintain and preserve law and order in the Republic of South Africa under Operation Prosper,” Magwenya said.
He added: “Members of the SANDF employed will, in cooperation with the South African Police Service, be conducting a high intensified anti-criminality operation against illegal mining across all provinces from period October 28, 2023 until April 28, 2024.”
The deployment comes as the South African authorities are battling to contain an illegal mining syndicate that is believed to have connections in high places.
The illegal miners, known locally as Zama Zamas and mostly undocumented foreigners from neighbouring countries, are blamed for the high crime in parts of the country.
NM/jn/APA