Admitting that illegal mining was a major challenge in the country, Mabuza said that the police and Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy would appoint specialised teams to fight the vice in all the country’s nine provinces.
“Yes, it has grown to the point where it is a major source of concern, not only for the government, but also for the mining industry and the communities that are located close to the illegal mining operations,” Mabuza told parliamentarians on Thursday.
He added: “We (in government) agreed that illegal mining, not only has a tremendous effect on the economy and the people,” but that it also affected national security.
Some eight women were recently allegedly attacked and gang raped by illegal miners known as “Zama Zama” near a mine dump in Krugersdorp, Gauteng province, sending shock waves across the country and leaving those residing near the crime scene living in fear of their safety.
The ministers responsible for the police, home affairs, and mineral resources and energy announced in August that a special task team was established by the South African Police Service in 2019 to tackle the phenomenon of illegal mining.
Due to the activities of the special task team, the police have successfully arrested 4,675 illegal miners to date, Mabuza said.
In addition, the authorities have shut down 135 mining holes, while the process is underway to seal the remaining 20 in Johannesburg’s area of Witwatersrand alone, Mabuza told the lawmakers.
NM/jn/APA