The intelligence services will be focusing their attention on illicit mining which is on the rise in certain parts of the country.
This was announced by the Minister of State Security, Dr Siyabonga Cwele during his budget vote debate in parliament.
Cwele says illicit mining is costing the economy billions of rands each year in lost revenue.
"Amongst others, the gold sector alone loses an estimated R5.7 billion in annual revenue through these trans-national organised crime syndicates," he said.
He told parliament that Welkom and Barberton areas have been particularly hard hit by illicit mining.
The minister indicated that they have appointed an inter-departmental team comprising of the South African Police Service (SAPS) crime intelligence, National Prosecuting Authority, Special Investigations unit and the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Mineral Resources.
Cwele said there were already positive results in this regard.
Of concern to the intelligence community, is the cross border criminal syndicates that involve locals in the scourge of illicit mining.
"We are concerned about the human traffic, prostitution, forced child labour, tax evasion and gangsterism."
Contact:
Brian Dube
Cell: 082 418 3389
Issued by Ministry of State Security
6 May 2010
Source: Ministry of State Security (http://www.intelligence.gov.za/)
