SAPS
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, Popcru, is calling for more boots on the ground to deal with the scourge of illegal mining.
The call on Monday came from the President of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, Dr Zizamele Cebekhulu-Makhaza.
He said in a statement that the illicit activities of thousands of illegal miners were costing the country billions each year, and this matter requires everyone's urgent attention.
“Beyond occupying abandoned mine shafts and waging open gang warfare in the streets, Zama Zamas damage municipal infrastructure; weaken road foundations; rob homes and take tools from backyards, sheds, and garages; and steal electrical cables to sell on the growing illegal copper market,” he said.
Cebekhulu-Makhaza said the lack of effective enforcement has allowed this illegal activity to flourish.
The Popcru President said the simplest solution would be to increase the number of boots on the ground.
"There are just over 120,000 sworn police officers in South Africa who are responsible for protecting millions of South Africans against all crimes. Meanwhile, there is an unknown quantity of illegal miners, possibly upwards of 30,000 alone. With this in mind, it's clear that our police service is greatly outnumbered and spread very thin," he said.
Cebekhulu-Makhaza said the simplest solution would be to increase "the number of boots on the ground, and better equip our officers to dismantle illegal mining operations and discourage future operations.”
