AMCU hits out at govt for wasting 'our scarce resources' on fighting illegal mining

JOHANNESBURG - The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) has hit out at government for what it calls wasteful expenditure as law enforcement intensifies its fight against illegal mining across the country.

Millions of rands have been spent to deploy the army in troubled areas, including the North West where a current operation has seen over 1,000 mine workers resurface from an abandoned mine.

READ: 'No one is trapped': Law enforcement says it won't give in to demands from illegal miners in Stilfontein

The body of one illegal miner has also been retrieved amid concerns that food and water supplies to the underground illegal network have been cut off.

Illegal mining is estimated to cost the economy around R70 billion a year and continues to undercut the mining industry.

Since its inception in December last year, Operation Vala Umgodi has tackled the scourge of illegal mining but has also extended to other crimes such as kidnapping and human trafficking.

Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, said that more than R32 million worth of uncut diamonds, R5 million in cash and tonnes of unlicensed weapons and ammunition had been seized by law enforcement.

"Let us continue to stamp the authority of the state."

Despite its efforts to root out lawlessness, AMCU leader Joseph Mathunjwa said that government was wasting taxpayers' money.

“Why should South Africa waste our scarce resources, which is our tax, to take the police which is supposed to be looking after the safety of the nation and the safety of the community.”

Meanwhile, it’s a waiting game as law enforcement continues their stake out for more illegal mineworkers to emerge from an abandoned shaft in Stilfontein in the North West.