Deputy President Paul Mashatil said the government was stepping up intelligence operations to combat illegal mining in parts of Gauteng, including communities in the East and West Rands.
Mr Mashatil was responding to questions from the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday regarding illegal mining in the informal settlements of Gugulethu and Sporon in Randfontein.
He said illegal mining poses serious threats to communities and economies and is often linked to transnational criminal organizations, illicit financial flows, illegal immigration and the proliferation of illegal firearms.
“As a result, the government is ramping up intelligence-led operations under initiatives such as Operation Vala Umgodi, including deploying specialized units, disrupting supply chains, arresting perpetrators and syndicate leaders, and seizing equipment and contraband, in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to secure convictions,” he said.
Mr Mashatil said the South African Police Service, Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and Department of Home Affairs were working together to combat the problem.
The Vice President said the government was also tackling the threat posed by the infiltration of illegal and counterfeit goods, which continues to undermine South Africa’s jobs and industrial competitiveness, through the 12-dimensional National Illegal Economic Disruption Programme.
“The government has secured funding to begin implementing this program, including targeted enforcement in high-risk areas experiencing significant revenue losses and the persistence of syndicated activity, particularly illegal mining, fuel smuggling, and port-related illicit trade,” he said.
Additionally, Mashatil said the South African National Defense Force has been deployed to support police operations aimed at curbing illegal mining and gang-related violence.
This development strengthens NATJOINTS’ collaboration and strengthens ongoing monitoring efforts to prevent recurrence of criminal activity.
“The President’s directive underscores the Government’s determination to confront these urgent challenges, and I thank the President for his decisive leadership in this regard,” the Vice President said.
Measures to curb corruption in SAPS
The Vice President said the government continues to strengthen measures to detect and prevent corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
He said the cluster remained central to coordinating the government’s response to crime, violence and corruption within the criminal justice system.
Measures taken to curb corruption include the establishment of an anti-corruption task team in 2010 to investigate high-level corruption and the deployment of technology-driven case management systems to reduce human intervention and vulnerabilities.
“Operational reforms have also been implemented to reduce opportunities for corruption, including improving crime scene management, strengthening investigative capabilities, and establishing specialized units such as counter-gang and economic infrastructure task teams,” he said.
To encourage reporting of wrongdoing, the police have also strengthened protection for whistleblowers through National Directive No. 18 of 2019, enabling secure reporting through platforms such as the National Anti-Corruption Hotline and the Internal Ethics Reporting System.
Mashatil said other regulators involved in cracking down on corruption include the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, the South African Public Protectorate and the South African Audit Office.
SAPS continues to strengthen its internal detection mechanisms through the scrutiny and screening of priority personnel, including members of the Criminal Intelligence Unit, Supply Chain Management and the Priority Crime Investigation Unit.
“These actions are underpinned by a lifestyle review and financial disclosure analysis, including an after-the-fact lifestyle audit when allegations are made. Where serious allegations of fraud or corruption arise, a forensic audit and criminal investigation will follow, and those found guilty will be prosecuted,” he said.
To strengthen police capacity, the president announced in his State of the Union address last month the hiring of 5,500 additional police officers, along with increased enforcement of firearms laws.
The President also directed the Acting Minister of Police and the National Chairman to establish a task force to investigate crimes involving senior SAPS members, following the Madranga Commission’s interim findings. – SAnews.gov.za
