Cape Town – South Africa’s Defence Minister Thandi Modise has highlighted the extent of illegal mining and associated criminal activities in the country, as soldiers are being deployed to assist the police in cracking down on illegal miners known as “zama zamas”.
Over the past year, there has been an increase in incidents where illegal miners have engaged in violent crimes, including murder and rape, as well as causing underground gas explosions.
Illegal mining is also linked to organised crimes such as gangsterism, human trafficking, money laundering, weapon dealing, tax evasion, illegal immigration, and transnational organized crimes.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the deployment of 3 300 South African National Defence Force members for six months, costing nearly R500 million, to assist the police in combating illegal mining.
Modiseon Friday emphasised that those breaking South African laws, whether citizens or foreigners, will face harsh consequences.
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“We will make sure that as the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster, we create a safe and secure environment for our people to live [in],” Modise.
The minister was addressing a JCPS cluster media briefing to provide progress made in combating organised crime which she said, is a growing concern as it negatively impacts on the livelihood of citizens, the economy and compromises the safety and security of people.
Through the South African Police Services’ Operation Shanela, which was initiated in May 2023, the country has adopted a decisive approach in reducing the high levels of crime, Modise said.
“It is through Operation Shanela, that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has successfully arrested 213 059 suspects for various crimes such as cash-in transit robberies, extortion at construction sites and kidnappings in the past six months.
To date, authorities have apprehended 4 067 individuals on charges related to illegal mining.
Among those arrested, 63 are South Africans, while 2,739 individuals come from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan, and Uganda.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
