The Democratic Alliance took the opportunity to respond to the article in the GCN of October 18.
The DA is relieved by the arrests that have been made in connection with illegal mining in the Marlands area.
DA councillor Tania Campbell said: “I have been urging that action be taken by both the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) for over three months, as I felt that there was a lack of urgency around the problems being caused by illegal miners.”
The problem began when the Water Department brought the damage to sewerage and water pipes in the Marlands area to Campbell’s attention.
The metro and Water Department were first alerted to the damage
When Campbell visited the area she discovered that sections of the sewerage and water pipes had been damaged by the illegal miners’ activities in the area.
It was then that Campbell advised officials in the department to work hand-in-hand with the EMPD as the illegal miners may pose a threat to water department officials.
Both Campbell and the GCN brought this matter to the attention of the Primrose SAPS and the SAPS began to investigate the reported problem.
In addition there is an on-going problem in Wit Street over the weekends, where not only illegal mining is taking place, but a property is also being occupied by vagrants.
This matter has also been brought to the attention of the police and council on numerous occasions by residents and Campbell.
Campbell reminded the authorities at large, including the Ekurhuleni Metro Council, that illegal mining is an unfortunate sign of the times.
“This wouldn’t be happening if unemployment in Ekurhuleni hadn’t reached desperate levels,” she said.
The Mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele, and the MMC for Finance, Moses Makwakwa, have conceded that Ekurhuleni’s unemployment rate is well above the national average.
