Cabinet supports police clamp-down on Riverlea illegal mining

Minister in the presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has welcomed the arrest of 194 illegal mining suspects in Riverlea, Johannesburg.

During a media briefing held early on Thursday, Ntshavheni conveyed the presidency’s approval of special forces sent to the area as the community battles with the effects of illegal mining in abandoned mines.

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Plans to close all abandoned mines by end of September

The special police unit, supported by the military have been deployed in the area. Nsthavheni further commended the work done by police and called on law enforcement agencies to clamp down on serious crimes.

Nsthavheni said the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has committed to close all derelict open shafts and mine holes in Riverlea by the end of September 2023.

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Last week, SA police service (Saps) minister Bheki Cele held an engagement with the Riverlea community, where Cele said police recovered scores of illegal firearms, ammunition, stolen property, explosives and gas cylinders during operations.

Most of the suspects were ‘undocumented persons’

“The additional police deployment in the Riverlea area has so far resulted in the arrest of over 190 suspects, majority of them are undocumented persons,” Cele said.

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“Arresting illegal miners is not the solution to end this well-funded and well organised crime. Police are on the ground to stabilise the area so that other departments can come in and work to permanently close off mines and also attend to some of the social issues that exist in this area that are drivers of crime.

“It is encouraging that the Hawks have arrested almost 90 suspects who police believe are the handlers of these Zama zamas and are middle and top players in the web of illegal mining.” Cele said.