Mineral Resources Minister, Susan Shabangu says government is taking strong action to combat illegal mining and criminal syndicates involved in gold smuggling are feeling the heat as the newly formed Hawks have been tasked to crack down on illegal mining.
Speaking during a debate in the National Council of Provinces on Wednesday afternoon, Minister Shabangu said illegal mining impacted negatively on the economy, "robbing our country and its people of valuable resources which could otherwise have been used to improve the lives of our people".
Minister Shabangu said illegal mining syndicates operated both locally and internationally, were sophisticated, well organised and heavily armed. In Barberton, shootouts were becoming a daily occurrence.
"Illegal mining is a huge, multi-billion rand criminal industry featuring national and international syndicates and valued at some R5,6 billion. These gold smuggling syndicates are highly organised, dangerous and well resourced," she said.
"I want to make it clear that all those involved in illegal mining are no different from those ruthless criminals involved in cash-in-transit heists who mercilessly kill our policemen and women. In Barberton, Mpumalanga, illegal diggers are now taking over equipment and workplaces. They are openly carrying a huge number of weapons, including AK47's and 9 millimetre pistols.
Inter-gang fights and shootouts are now a daily occurrence in this area. Confrontations between illegal miners and the police and security personnel are becoming more frequent. Legal mineworkers have been also abducted in Barberton and used as human shields in confrontations with the police. In Welkom, booby traps have been set for the police and security personnel using explosives. Illicit mining is also spawning other illegal activities, including child prostitution and child labour."
Minister Shabangu said: "I want to assure the criminal syndicates involved in illegal mining that our resolve crush them has strengthened and I want to say to these criminals: You will continue to feel the heat as government closes in on you until you stop robbing our people of the minerals that belong to them, as per the Freedom Charter."
An Inter-Ministerial Security Cluster has agreed among others to task the newly formed Hawks to investigate illicit mining in its totality.
"The relevant legislation must be applied without fear or favour to deal with racketeering, money laundering, illegal possession of minerals, amongst others," Minister Shabangu said.
Minister Shabangu, together with a delegation of ministers from the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster will soon visit some of the affected areas to assess further action to deal comprehensively with the issue of illegal mining.
Enquiries:
Jeremy Michaels
Cell: 082 772 1122
E-mail: jeremy.michaels@dme.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Mineral Resources
16 September 2009
