Police take action against illegal mining
A search in the area by Brakpan police resulted in the discovery of the illegal water connection.
Ratepayers have been footing the water bill for illegal mining operations in Brakpan North.
This came to light after an illegal water connection was discovered in a valve chamber along Oval Road.
The illegal attachment has since been disconnected.
The miners were making use of water from the network to aid their illegal mining operations.
READ: DA petitions Ekurhuleni to take urgent action against illegal mining in Brakpan
The water was piped from the chamber to an area in the veld where the miners sluice the sediment for gold.
A search in the area by Brakpan police on Wednesday, last week, resulted in the discovery of the illegal connection.
Police also seized a large quantity of equipment used to mine illegally, which included buckets and hundreds of hoses, and structures were demolished.
No arrests were made.
“We are grateful and applaud the individuals from Brakpan SAPS for acting on the illegal mining activities along Oval Road,” said Brandon Pretorius, DA councillor for Ward 97 in Brakpan.
“The damage caused by these illegal miners impacts residents on a daily basis.
“The DA in Brakpan feels that more should be done and that is why the DA, on behalf of the residents of Brakpan, last year petitioned the city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi, to instruct the EMPD to take urgent action against the illegal miners who frequently flout the municipal by-laws in and around the Brakpan area.”
Pretorius told the Herald it is unfortunate residents have to resort to petitions to encourage action from the City of Ekurhuleni on issues it is already aware of.
“The EMPD in Brakpan is well informed about all the illegal mining activities, yet by-law enforcement is non-existent,” he said.
“The DA will, however, do whatever it takes to hold the administration accountable and ensure by-law enforcement is done.
“It is not acceptable that the actions of illegal miners effects the lives of the residents of our town.”
MORE PHOTOS: Police in pursuit of illegal miners
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za
or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za
or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za
Remember to visit the Brakpan Herald on the following social media platforms:
Follow us:
