Authorities join forces to tackle illegal mining

After the EXPRESS exposed and informed authorities about illegal mining taking place at the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland a few months ago, senior police officers in Johannesburg immediately stepped in to investigate.

Two people were arrested in connection with the illegal mining in October but they were released after they paid a R1 500 fine.

Last week, a provincial crime intelligence detective, whose identity cannot be revealed, said two people were arrested, one on October 15 and one the next day, on the eastern side of the settlement.

“They were initially charged with contravention of the prospecting act. This means that no one is allowed to prospect for any precious material without a prospecting licence. The men who were arrested were found mining illegally. The charge was changed to trespassing and they were given a fine, which they paid. We were informed that for a charge like that to be upheld, evidence of the illegal mining would have to come from an expert,” said the detective.

He said a team of professionals, including members of the Hawks, organised crime and the Department of Mineral Resources, was established to be more successful.

The EXPRESS previously reported that the illegal mining at the settlement did not start recently.

According to a source, illegal mining has been going on at this site for years.

During a visit to the settlement a few months ago, one of the people seen at one of the illegal mining sites openly admitted to mining illegally. He said he was doing it because it was an easy source of income.

Last week, Clr Alison van der Molen of ward 118, demanded more action from the SAPS. Speaking at the Cleveland Community Police Forum (CCPF) meeting, she said the illegal mining and other activities, such as the illegal sale of alcohol, had to be addressed. She demanded answers from the Cleveland SAPS about what they were doing to tackle crime in the settlement.

Colonel Bongani Dlamini, the Cleveland SAPS station commander, said he is aware of the problems.

“The settlement is a problem for us. We know that people are mining illegally during the day and night. People must also understand that even if we arrest people today, there will be more people operating at the same place tomorrow. Illegal mining is a huge problem across Johannesburg. It is also happening in other parts of our precinct in areas such as Denver and Heriotdale. We take these crimes seriously. People are getting killed because they are fighting for these minerals,” said Col Dlamini.

He said police have also gathered that the minerals people are mining illegally are not sold in the precinct. “That is why we are working with other authorities. We understand the implications of illegal mining, for those who are doing it and others who have nothing to do with it,” he said.

He said he is also trying to address other crimes in the settlement, such as assaults and rape.

“I take the illegal sale of liquor seriously because it contributes to a number of other crimes such as assaults and rapes. I will meet with the councillor at the settlement to see problem areas I may not be aware of,” he said.

Mr Thabo Thipe, from the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, who attended the CCPF meeting, told the EXPRESS that officials want to work closely with people such as councillors and members of the public who have information about illegal mining.

“Illegal mining is leading to gang fights and deaths. There was an incident a while ago where two people were found dead in one of the mines in Riverlea. These deaths, and others, recently led to the department also establishing a team to deal with the problem. This team consists of organised crime members, the municipality and mining companies who can offer their expertise to successfully arrest and charge people,” he said.

He said he will give feedback about Clr Van der Molen’s complaints soon.