Mantashe and Cele are the zama zamas' dream team
28 August 2023
Over the past few days government officials have been reporting back to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy on progress they’ve made in combating illegal mining. They’ve made very little. The overall response to illegal mining has been revealed to be grossly inadequate, for which the blame must lie with the lack of leadership from cabinet level.
Fourteen months ago South Africans were shocked by the multiple rapes allegedly committed by illegal miners at Krugersdorp. Since then there have been investigations, promises and advice, and the arrests of some easily replaceable foot soldiers. Officials of both the Hawks and the DMRE have very little progress to show:
The building of police training, skills and capacity is reported to still be ongoing;
The identification of specialised police resources has still not been done;