GPG fails to tackle illegal mining, endangering resident’s lives

27 July 2023

Gauteng residents’ lives are in danger due to illegal mining, which has resulted in the loss of lives and damage to critical infrastructure, yet the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is failing to address illegal mining across the province.

This illicit industry has become a big contributor to the increasing tremors, sinkholes and prevalent crimes like gang violence, rapes, kidnappings, and contact crimes in mining communities.

Many people have died because of illegal mining, and residents’ safety is under siege due to gas explosions linked to illegal mining.

The causes of the explosion in the Johannesburg CBD have not yet been determined; however, there are allegations that it is linked to illegal mining.

In another incident, one person died, and two were injured in a suspected illegal mining explosion in Braamfisherville, Soweto.

Three weeks ago, 17 people died, and more than 16 were injured due to a nitrate oxide leak from a gas cylinder used by illegal miners to clean gold dust in Angelo Informal Settlement in Boksburg.

Illegal mining also has immense financial implications for the government, as they must fix damaged infrastructure that is not budgeted for.

The DA submitted questions to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to ascertain if the GPG has measures in place to address illegal mining in the province.

The DA demands that the Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, and the Gauteng SAPS Lieutenant General, Elias Mawela, engage with their national counterparts, the Minister of Police, and the Minister of Mineral Resources, including different stakeholders in the mining sector, to develop a strategy to address illegal mining.

It should include a safety plan to ensure the safety of residents in illegal mining areas.

Issued by Nico De Jager, DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and Member of the Community Safety Committee, 27 July 2023