PREMIER MOKGOSI COMMENDS SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE FOR CLAMPING ON ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES AT THE CITY OF MATLOSANA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has commended the South African Police Service following a successful operation which culminated into the arrest of two hundred and twenty five illegal miners.

According to a statement by SAPS, the arrested Zama-Zamas form part of a cohort of illegal miners who are stuck under ground without basic necessities after the Police and South African National Defence Force closed routes which are used as conduits to deliver food and water to the miners.

Premier Mokgosi maintains the operation which is dubbed Vala Umgodi literally, meaning close the hole, is yielding desired results.

“The City of Matlosana Local Municipality is infested with this kind of criminal activities and we want to applaud both the SAPS and SANDF for stamping the State authority in rooting out these criminal activities” said Premier Mokgosi.

Premier Mokgosi has urged the police to leave no stone unturned in dealing with illicit mining throughout the Province.

“We understand that there are still more illegal miners trapped underground and the police are keeping a watchful eye as the situation unfolds. They must be brought up to the surface and face the full might of the law. Our communities continue to live in fear due to these activities and it’s high time the state acts on this criminality once and for all” concluded Premier Mokgosi.

Illegal mining has been a thorn in the Province. Other areas that have experienced this criminality include Moses Kotane and Rustenburg in Bojanala and Amalia in Dr RSM though the latter is at a lower scale. Some of those arrested include undocumented foreign nationals. ENDS!

Issued by Office of the Premier