Thabiso Goba28 October 2024 | 16:46

SANDF the silver bullet for illegal mining in Mogale City, says mayor

The West Rand municipality is a mining city, with a number of operational and decommissioned mines scattered across it.

SANDF the silver bullet for illegal mining in Mogale City, says mayor

FILE: SANDF troops. Pictures: Katlego Jiyane/ Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - Newly elected Mogale City Mayor Lucky Sele said that the municipality needs the help of the military to deal with illegal mining.

The West Rand municipality is a mining city, with several operational and decommissioned mines scattered across it.

As such, the city attracted several Zama Zamas who came to salvage whatever minerals they could sell.

Sele said that the municipality with its R4.5 billion budget, doesn't have the resources to deal with this long-standing issue.

"It is an organised syndicate, it's not just ordinary people carrying the soil and crossing the street. They are armed to the teeth and they are destroying even our water infrastructure. So we are going to appeal to the president to have a multi-disciplinary approach."