Mpumalanga Community Safety MEC plans to write to minerals dept to address illegal mining crisis
The renewed calls by the province’s government follow the arrest of close to 500 zama zamas at a mine in Barberton last week.
Picture: Mulderphoto/123rf
JOHANNESBURG - MEC for Community Safety in Mpumalanga Jackie Macie said he plans to write to the Department of Mineral and Energy (DMRE) as the province looks for interventions to address the longstanding crisis of illegal mining.
The renewed calls by the province’s government follow the arrest of close to 500 zama zamas at a mine in Barberton last week.
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The illegal miners were arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi at a shaft at the Sheba gold mine.
They are part of a larger network that has continuously frustrated operations at the historic Barberton Mines complex.
Speaking on the matter on 702’s Nguni programme, Siyaxoxa ku-702, on Sunday night, Macie accused the mining company of dereliction of duty for failing to seal unused shafts.
While Macie said law enforcement has done work to clamp down on illegal mining, he said the overseeing departments also need to step up.
"I think, we will take the matter to DMRE and human settlements. They should be able to help us. Our responsibility is law enforcement. The matter must be dealt with by those departments for other interventions."