President Ramaphosa recently emphasized the importance of community whistleblowers in putting an end to illegal mining. In his latest newsletter, he highlighted the devastating impact of illegal mining on communities and the efforts being made to combat it. The State has set up specialized Illegal Mining Task Teams, comprising various government departments and entities, to conduct operations against illegal mining hotspots. These teams have made over 4,000 arrests of illegal mining suspects and more than 7,000 arrests related to illegal immigration. Additionally, the President has authorized the deployment of 3,300 defence force personnel to support ongoing operations against illegal mining.
Illegal mining is often linked to other crimes such as money laundering, bribery, corruption, illicit financial flows, human and weapons trafficking, and violence against women. President Ramaphosa stressed the need to address not only the miners but also those benefiting further up the value chain. He also highlighted the role of mining houses in contributing to the proliferation of illegal mining by not complying with closure and rehabilitation laws.
The President welcomed the efforts of the Minerals Council South Africa to collaborate with the government in tackling the problem of derelict, unused, or abandoned mines. He also mentioned the broader effort to combat all forms of economic sabotage, including cable theft and extortion at construction sites. The South African Police Service has made 61 arrests linked to extortion at economic and construction sites since April.
President Ramaphosa affirmed the commitment to work with business, unions, and communities to fight against acts of sabotage. He emphasized that the cooperation of communities, particularly whistleblowers and the mining industry, is crucial for the success of State authorities’ efforts.
In conclusion, President Ramaphosa’s message underscores the vital role of community whistleblowers in combating illegal mining and economic sabotage. The collaboration between the government, mining industry, and communities is essential in addressing these challenges.