THE Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, has issued a strong warning to illegal miners and criminals.
She said law enforcement agencies will step up operations to protect Mzansi citizens.
Modise made the remarks on Friday, 10 November, during the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) media briefing.
She said the country is preparing for the upcoming 2024 general elections and the JCPS cluster will confront all threats to national security with the sole aim of protecting constitutional democracy.
"In the last twelve months, we have seen an increase in incidents where illegal miners have taken communities hostage and committed various violent crimes such as murder and rape and where underground gas explosions have caused damage to infrastructure," Modise said.
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She went on to say that illegal mining is also linked to other organised crimes such as gangsterism, human trafficking, money laundering, trafficking in illegal arms and explosives, tax evasion, illegal immigration and transnational organised crime.
"These are serious criminal activities that the government takes very seriously, that threaten our national security and therefore require serious intervention, which we will do today. We will ensure that as a JCPS Cluster, we create a safe and secure environment for the lives of our citizens," she said.
Police Minister Bheki Cele added that they will continue to win the fight against illegal mining.
“We are not only chasing the foot soldiers but also the big fish,” he said.
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola said that between April and August 2023, a total of 329 accused persons were convicted of offences related to illegal mining, while eight were acquitted.
“Traditional organised crime such as illegal firearms and environmental crime was surpassed by illegal mining, theft of fuel from underground pipelines and damage to critical infrastructure, especially copper theft," Lamola said.
