Mysterious deaths shock committee
The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources is shocked by the mysterious deaths of five illegal miners in Benoni, Gauteng. “We commend the police for a swift response after a tip-off from a survivor. We are confident that they will make arrests shortly,” said Mr Sahlulele Luzipho, Committee Chairperson.
This after media reports that the police found five dead bodies with gun wounds in Benoni yesterday. They were reportedly found at a derelict mine site where illegal mining activity occurs. The Committee is concerned about these sporadic killings associated with alleged gangsterism within the illegal mining sector. The Committee visited the province in September last year to look into the issue of illegal mining. It was shocked to learn that illegal mining was rife.
It recommended that all affected stakeholders including Parliament, Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and state security forces should work together to expose the real kingpins of this industry. Adding to that, the Committee has in its last sitting last month requested DMR to rework its 2015/16 Annual Performance Plan in order to include programmes as well as budget that will deal decisively with illegal mining.
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