PARLIAMENT’S portfolio committees on mineral resources and energy and police have called for the Department of Mineral Resource and Energy (DMRE) to implement the principle of “use it or lose it”.
They also want a programme to close disused and ownerless mines.
This comes after the committees conducted a three-day joint oversight visit in Gauteng to establish the facts regarding the gang rape and robbery incident that took place on 28 July in West Village, Krugersdorp.
The committees said they have received briefings on the status of the mining licence of a mine dump where the incident occurred from the DMRE.
The committees also visited the site where the gang rape and armed robbery took place.
Chairman of the portfolio committee on mineral resources and energy Sahlulele Luzipo said they have established that mine belongs to Mogale Gold, whose mining right is valid until August 2029, however, the company’s mining operations were suspended by the DMRE in 2018 due to non-compliance with the approved Mine Work Programme.
“Under no circumstances should the mines be left dormant halfway because they end up as a breeding ground for illegal mining activities. There needs to be a way in which the MPRDA (Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act) is harmonised with the Companies Act to deal effectively with issues of mining rights and company liquidation,” he said.
He said they have also directed the DMRE to provide a detailed report with regards to the history of mines operated by Mintails South Africa, including details of directors and the status of mining licences.
Regarding police action following the incident, the committees said they heard that a total of 210 foreign national men who are alleged to be illegal miners in Krugersdorp area were arrested on Thursday, 11 August.
Chairwoman of the portfolio committee on police Tina Joemat-Pettersson said they applaud the work of the law enforcement for their swift response following the incident and has called on them to partner with the committees.
“The suspects should not get bail and they deserve a harsher sentence. We hope that next time when we come here in Krugersdorp we will be celebrating their life sentences,” she said.
Joemat-Pettersson said: “Going forward, a co-operation between the portfolio committee on police, the portfolio committee on mineral resources and energy, and the portfolio committee on home affairs, will become important to conduct a joint oversight on the executive because, without a doubt, this issue of illegal mining has become a serious threat to national security.”
