Caption: MEC Macie(middle)inside one of the sites where illegal mining operations take place
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
The small town of Pilgrims Rest, in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, is known for attracting tourists from all over the world due to its breathtaking views, but in recent years it has also allegedly attracted heavily-armed criminals, widely known as zama-zama’s, from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, who have turned the town’s mountains into a haven for persistent illegal mining activities.
As a result, the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison(DCSSL) in Mpumalanga, Jackie Macie, visited the town on Friday 24 August, to get a first-hand experience of the scourge of illegal mining and the negative impact thereof.
According to DCSSL spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, the MEC was briefed about the increasing number of foreign nationals who have invaded Pilgrims Rest in search of mineral resources such as gold.
Macies said the matter is a big concern and it requires the intervention of MinMEC, the Premier of Mpumalanga, Mandla Ndlovu, and National Government. MinMEC is said to be a meeting where the Minister of Police sits with all MECs responsible for safety in all provinces of the country.
“ We will go back there soon, unannounced on an operation to get rid of all these people who think they can do as they please in our country. They have declared war to us as government, and we will not retreat. We are going back to plan and we will come back here in numbers with the necessary resources to reclaim our town,” said Macie.
The MEC was accompanied by police officers, officials from the Department of Home Affairs, officers from Thaba Chweu Law Enforcement, EMS and officials from DCSSL.
Macie has committed to urgently convene a Justice, Crime Prevention and Security(JCPS) Cluster meeting to strategise on how they can jointly deal with the issue.
