Illegal Miners Not Happy About Army Deployment

Illegal miners in Sekhukhune, Limpopo, express dissatisfaction with the recent deployment of over 3,000 soldiers to illegal mining areas across the country.

They argue that their involvement in illegal mining is a result of the government’s delay in regulating artisanal mining.

The Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Mining and Mineral Resources acknowledged the need to expedite mining license issuance for locals during a visit to the areas in September of the previous year. However, these miners in Sekhukhune fear that the military deployment will adversely impact their livelihoods.

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“The President [Cyril Ramaphosa] wants to bring soldiers here, while we are also soldiers who are just trying to fight hunger. They promise us jobs during elections, even now we are still waiting for these jobs here in Sekhukhune.”

“God blessed us with minerals and we are using these minerals to help ourselves. Through this deployment of soldiers, the President is saying we should die of hunger.”

One mining forum in the area contends that the presidential decree undermines development.

One of the members, Tokelo Mahlakone says, “We are very disappointed with the President’s decision to deploy the soldiers. Because people in this area are benefitting from this chrome mine, they are now able to put food on the table.”

“The government has failed us, they are the ones who should have legalised these mines so that people should be employed. If they had taken control of this from the start, we would not be here and talking about illegal mining today.”

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