KLCBT calls for SANDF deployment along Mpumalanga tourism routes
Eight suspected illegal miners have been found dead following a series violent shoot-outs near a popular route to the Kruger National Park.
Escalating illegal mining shoot-outs on strategic tourism corridors place motorists and visitors travelling to Mpumalanga at risk.
ALSO READ: MEC Jackie Macie calls for calm after 2nd body found near Schoemanskloof
Following three shoot-outs earlier this week on the R539, the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) has called on national authorities to ensure the safety of tourists travelling to the province.
Call for presidential action
“When criminal activity reaches the point where a strategic national road can be disrupted and motorists, communities and visitors are placed at risk, the government must respond decisively,” said Oupa Pilane, special attaché of the KLCBT.
He added that if the SANDF can be deployed alongside SAPS to combat illegal mining in other affected parts of South Africa, Mpumalanga cannot be left behind.
“I call on President Cyril Ramaphosa and the national security authorities to urgently assess the deployment of additional security resources, including SANDF support where constitutionally appropriate, to illegal mining hotspots in Mpumalanga.”
His statement follows yesterday’s, October 1, discovery of another suspected illegal miner’s body beside the R539. MEC for community safety, security and liaison Jackie Macie visited the scene and said the department had approached the SANDF to intervene and escalate the matter to the national government.
Pilane reiterated that government officials cannot allow criminal networks to threaten communities and strategic tourism corridors.
ALSO READ: Schoemanskloof Road closed again after second body found amid illegal mining shoot-out
“The government must identify and dismantle the criminal networks behind illegal mining, remove illegal operations, deal with illegal firearms and secure affected communities and strategic routes.”
“Tourism depends on confidence. Confidence depends on safety. The time for decisive intervention is now,” he concluded.
Body count rises to 8
The total number of bodies of suspected illegal miners found in the vicinity has risen to eight as police continue their investigations.
