UPDATE: CPF to petition entities on illegal mining
A resident fears for his life and the life of other community members
The Ekurhuleni Central Cluster Community Policing Forum (CPF) will soon petition entities that aren’t addressing or giving adequate attention to the problem of illegal mining in Benoni, in a bid to spur them into taking action.
This after the bodies of seven suspected illegal miners were found in Benoni on January 14.
READ:
Bodies of seven suspected illegal miners found near Daveyton Road
Maj Gen Poobalan Subbiah, commander of the SAPS Ekurhuleni Central Cluster, said a member of the public informed the police about the bodies at about 7.30am.
The commander said this came after the police received reports the day before that miners had been shot underground.
“But the SAPS inspected all the open shafts in the cluster between yesterday morning (January 13) until midnight, through the morning, without finding any bodies,” Subbiah said at the time.
The discovery was made about 500 metres from Daveyton Road.
Reza Patel, executive chairperson of the Ekurhuleni Central Cluster CPF, said a multitude of stakeholders needed to work together to fight the problem.
He said this is not happening.
READ:
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“There does not seem to be a concerted effort to bring about an end [to this problem],” Patel said.
“There is not enough will or effort to resolve the issue.
“It is as if government has turned a blind eye on the dilemma.”
A New Modder resident told the City Times that community members in the affected neighbourhoods are continually reminded of illegal mining.
The man, who did not want to be named for fear of victimisation from zama-zamas, said residents frequently have to contend with the sound of gunshots and blasts.
He said his house has cracked due to tremors from blasting, and he is fearful somebody will get hurt or die from a stray bullet.
Meanwhile, the DA is calling for specialised units to address the issue.
“The DA tabled a motion in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature proposing that the SAPS restore the specialised units which focus on illegal mining in Gauteng,” said Michelle Clarke, DA Gauteng spokesperson for community safety. “Sadly this motion was rejected by the ANC majority in the House.”
Benoni police spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said the police do conduct operations targeting illegal mining.
She said these usually result in the seizure of illegal mining equipment, but sometimes also lead to arrests.
On March 8 last year, the police arrested 14 men and confiscated illegal mining equipment and explosives.
The arrests and seizures took place between New Modder Road and Golden Drive.
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