Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has welcomed the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers to the province to support police in the fight against criminality, especially illegal mining.
The intervention was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) held in Cape Town on Thursday evening.
“Illegal mining has become a serious criminal enterprise that threatens the safety of our communities, exploits vulnerable people, and causes extensive environmental damage.
“The deployment of soldiers to assist the police demonstrates government’s commitment to restoring law and order and protecting communities,” Lesufi said in a statement on Friday.
The scourge of illegal mining has cost the South African economy billions of Rands in lost economic revenue and, in some areas, contributed to escalating violence.
Last week, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety noted an incident in which an alleged zama-zama (illegal miner) was shot and wounded during night-time gunfire in Bekkersdal. The committee added that the presence of illegal miners has also contributed to a surge in kidnappings in the area.
“The people of Gauteng deserve to live in safe communities free from criminality. We remain committed to doing everything possible, together with national government, to eradicate illegal mining and its associated crimes,” Lesufi said.
In the SONA, President Ramaphosa announced the deployment of the SANDF to support police in Gauteng and the Western Cape, to deal with gang violence and illegal mining.
“I have directed the Minister of Police and the SANDF to develop a tactical plan on where our security forces should be deployed within the next few days in the Western Cape and Gauteng to deal with gang violence and illegal mining,” said the President.
– SAnews.gov.za
