Law enforcement team visits Krugersdorp to address illegal mining

On Saturday, 6 August, a ‘high-powered’ law enforcement team is set to visit Krugersdorp. 

The team will be engaging with the community

The National Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola will be leading the team of officials as they speak with members of the community who live their lives in an area plagued by illegal mining.

Reports have revealed that this visit is a move toward addressing illegal mining and the crimes that illegal mining operations generate.

Crime Combating Imbizo to be held in Kagiso

On Sunday, 7 August, a Crime Combating Imizbo will be held in Kagiso with residents. The Imbizo came to light after frustrated residents began protesting against illegal mining and zama zamas.

This was prompted by the brutal gang rape of eight women at a mine dump in Krugersdorp. It is believed that the men accused of the rapes of the women are illegal miners who work in Krugersdorp, reports SABC News.

Police Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said that the gang rape incident not only shocked the country but also cast a spotlight on illegal mining.

“The gang rape that has shocked the country has cast a spotlight on illicit mining as a crime generator in mining areas such as Kagiso, also in the West Rand. This community of Kagiso will this weekend also have the ear of the Police Ministry and SAPS management, during the second installation of the Crime Combating Imbizo on Sunday. This Crime Combating Izimbizos seek to provide residents with a platform, to discuss and engage the SAPS on identified crimes afflicting the community,”

said Themba.

[WAR] This #Krugersdorp resident calls for the intervene of the @SANDF_Z in what he calls a ‘war on the community’ by illegal miners with weapons of war. The #WestVillageImbizo will see @SAPoliceService outline sustainable and workable solutions to community’s crime concerns. pic.twitter.com/G3zaX9Tfnc

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) August 6, 2022

“We will put this to an end” – Ramaphosa on illegal mining in South Africa

In related news, it was previously reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that he and his administration are focused on getting rid of illegal mining in South Africa.

Illegal mining and ‘zama zamas’ have been making national headlines following the horrific gang rape of eight women in Krugersdorp. The women were part of a film crew who were shooting a music video near a mine dump.

Ramaphosa noted his concern about illegal mining and reassured residents that action is being taken against this crime. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Presidential Social Sector Summit in Boksburg on Friday, 5 August. Read the full story here.