The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has stated that illegal mining in Bapong will be stopped. He said the activities risk community lives, livelihoods, safety, and the environment.
Following a briefing from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), General Masemola outlined immediate intervention measures:
-
Crime-combating operations are being enhanced.
-
More police officers are being deployed, including Crime Intelligence, the Hawks, detectives, and tactical units.
-
An integrated, multidisciplinary intervention team has been established within the PROVJOINTS and NATJOINTS structures. This team is led by SAPS and includes officials from the Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum (DMPR), Water and Sanitation, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Home Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Development, and others. The team has begun operations.
-
Daily operations will include compliance inspections and disruptive operations with the DMPR at identified illegal mining sites. Arrests and search and seizure operations for tools will continue.
-
Daily operations will be monitored weekly while long-term plans are intensified.
General Masemola emphasized that only the DMPR can legally issue a mining permit. Anyone mining without a DMPR permit is committing a crime. He described the illegal mining as theft of South Africa’s minerals, detrimental to the environment and water sources, and a health and safety risk.
He stated he will receive weekly progress reports and that those behind the illegal operations will be found and held accountable. Communities are urged to cooperate with law enforcement and refuse to be used by the criminals.
