The Justice Cluster has found that more than half of the suspects involved in illegal mining are actually foreign nationals. This means that a large number of people from other countries are involved in illegal mining activities in South Africa. The government has taken action to address this issue, with a team of representatives from various departments and state entities working together to combat illegal mining. The team has made significant progress and has already arrested 4,067 suspects on illegal mining-related charges.
The team, which includes the departments of Police, Justice and Correctional Services, Social Development, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Defence, Home Affairs, and Mineral Resources and Energy, as well as State entities such as State Security Agency and the National Prosecuting Authority, is dedicated to curbing the scourge of illegal mining.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorized the deployment of 3,300 defence force members across all provinces to intensify anti-criminality operations against illegal mining. The government is taking a strong stance on this issue, recognizing the detrimental financial impact of illegal mining on the state, employees, companies, the sector, and the economy.
Of the 4,067 suspects arrested, 2,739 of them are foreign nationals from countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan, and Uganda. This multinational involvement in illegal mining is a cause for concern, and the government is taking decisive action to address it.
The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster is not only targeting arrests of foot soldiers but also ringleaders, the shutdown of illegal markets, and the sellers of the mined material. Additionally, the authorities have seized many vehicles and pieces of mining equipment from illegal mining operations.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is focusing on sealing old mine shafts, especially the 6,100 derelict and ownerless mines in South Africa. The government is also planning to review legislation to intensify the role that provinces and local communities can play in curbing illegal mining.
The Ministers emphasized the important role of communities in combatting organized crime and illegal mining through exposure and reporting of these activities and suspects to law enforcement agencies. Community policing forums have received additional funds to help defeat illegal mining-related crime in hotspot areas.
As of November, there were 4,068 cases related to the Immigration Act outstanding on the criminal court roll, and the conviction rate with regard to these types of crimes was rising in the justice system. The government has also ramped up Home Affairs’ capacity to undertake deportations through funds for ten minibus vehicles to conduct this work.
The government has engaged with the Ministers of neighbouring countries to help stop the scourge of illegal mining by foreign nationals in South Africa. There is a concerted effort to address the issue and prevent further illegal mining activities.
In conclusion, the government is taking strong action to combat illegal mining, especially the involvement of foreign nationals. The multinational nature of illegal mining is a cause for concern, and the government is committed to addressing this issue decisively.