Action SA condemns high prevalence of illegal mining in Mpumalanga
ActionSA's Mpumalanga Legislature member, Thoko Mashiane, called for the deportation of illegal foreigners involved in criminal activities.
ActionSA has recently condemned the plague of illegal mining in the province and claimed that illegal foreign nationals have no regard for the law, the province’s borders or its resources.
The party’s member in the Mpumalanga Legislature, Thoko Mashiane, recalled some incidents in Mpumalanga in February, such as the arrest of three suspects during Operation Vala Umgodi.
In another incident on February 10, the police arrested three suspects for the possession of explosives and another three for contravening the Immigration Act.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the first three suspects, identified as Mahesso Kahliba, Chris Julius Chauke and Senzo Clement Masuku, were arrested during a routine operation.
“Some astute officers had stopped and searched a maroon vehicle with three occupants on the R38. They recovered some explosives – four Superpower 90 blasting cartridges, a capped fuse and 9m of detonating cord, suspected to be used in the commission of illegal mining activities.”
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Ndubane said two of these suspects are foreign nationals. The three were charged with possession of prohibited explosives and their vehicle was seized. During this same operation, the SAPS came across the other three suspects who failed to produce proper documents for being in the country.
The three suspects who were charged with possession of explosives appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on February 12 and were remanded in custody. They are set to appear again on April 4.
Mashiane also mentioned the arrests of 16 foreign nationals near Emgwenya (formerly Waterval Boven) on Friday. The suspects, aged between 18 and 40, were charged with the possession of gold-bearing materials.
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“More charges could be added against these suspects as the investigation continues. It is suspected they were involved in illegal mining activities,” Ndubane said.
“This is yet another example of how South Africa has become a free-for-all for foreign criminals, while the ANC government turns a blind eye,” Mashiane said.
She called for the immediate deportation of illegal foreigners who are involved in crimes, a crackdown on illegal mining syndicates, stronger border security and for the government to prioritise its citizens.
