‘No political will to stop illegal mining’

Chairperson of the Benoni CPF Dr Reza Patel said there is a lack of political will to stop illegal mining during a feedback meeting in Benoni on March 7.

The meeting was hosted by Ward 27 councillor Lornette Joseph in Northmead.

According to Patel, the problem of illegal mining is exacerbated by the government’s failure to act.

“Where are they to deal with illegal mining? Why is it that we have to come to meetings to find solutions for this?” Patel asked.

Patel alluded government was failing to take action because it does not want to deal with unemployment.

“We need an organised and holistic approach to deal with the matter. What the member of parliament and the councillor are doing is a positive thing. It should have started long ago. We tried everything in the past, but nobody came to the table.

“We need an organised, systemic and sustainable approach to suffocate and eradicate illegal mining. That needs to occur with the entire ecosystem being killed, and the ecosystem is everything that’s linked to it.

“From the bread trucks from local bakeries that deliver loaves of bread to feed them, the prostitutes and little children pushed in there to partake in illegal mining,” said Patel.

MP Haseena Ismail told attendees she has initiated a petition that is addressed to several government departments’ portfolio committees, including the Department of Mineral Resources and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.

“We have to find solutions because a one-portfolio solution is not going to work,” she said.

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Ismail said she hasn’t submitted the petition because illegal mining is a national problem and, therefore, it has to be signed by people beyond Benoni as well.

“I have taken a motion to ask for a public debate on this matter, as it’s not only affecting Gauteng. We are looking at a national solution to assist us in dealing with this problem.

“With the shadow minister of Department of Mineral Resources, we are investigating around the country where, when and how the blasting happens so that proper strategic discussions can take place,” said Ismail.

Police accusation

Benoni SAPS station commander Brig Thabo Mphuthi said although they’ve heard accusations of police officers working with illegal miners, they haven’t received feedback that could lead to arrests.

“As much as I want to address corruption, I’m unable to uproot it because it’s difficult to obtain statements from the public so that we can be able to address our wrongs,” Mphuthi said.

She added the SAPS is arresting illegal miners; however, they can’t arrest any person they suspect of being an illegal miner.

“When we make arrests, they must be found mining illegally or with mining equipment,” said Mphuthi.

Joseph commended the CPF and the entire community for putting the matter in the spotlight.

“The pressure that came from the mayor’s office and the motion that’s been put in has prompted the Department of Mineral Resources to see the state of our mines,” said Joseph.

Also Read: Police clamp down on illegal mining