Various government departments as well as private mining entities have pledged their support towards Mpumalanga SAPS(South African Police Service) in the fight against rampant illegal mining activities within the province, during a meeting held in Mbombela.
The engagement was reportedly coordinated by Mpumalanga Tactical Joint Operations Centre(Tacjoc) and it carried a vision to ensure more prosecution for illegal miners in the province.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said all stakeholders including the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Rural Development Land and Environmental Affairs, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the National Prosecution Authority, Ehlanzeni District Municipality Disaster Management, York Timbers and SSG Security from Baberton mines, were roped in to bring forth their expertise to tackle illegal miners.
“ There are other crimes associated with illegal mining activities and these include murders, robberies and rapes, of which police have to deal with on daily basis,” said Mdhluli.
SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lt-Gen Semakaleng Manamela, also threw her weight behind the engagement.
“ We welcome the initiative and believe that with more boots on the ground, we will win the battle against illegal mining,” said Manamela.
