The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has called for a total eradication of illegal mining which remains an enormous and devastating problem in the Province.
This follows allegations that 17 people died after inhaling nitrate oxide at the Angelo Informal Settlement in Boksburg.
The Committee has also noted allegations that the gas cylinder that caused this catastrophic incident was part of an illegal mining operation carried out by zama zamas in the area.
Over the years, Gauteng has recorded countless deaths of innocent residents as a result of illegal mining activity that occasionally springs up in different parts of the province.
The Committee calls on law enforcement agencies to set up dedicated and special units that will see the complete eradication of illegal mining activity in the province.
Committee Chairperson, Honourable Bandile Masuku, said, “We are saddened by these events and call on community members of the Angelo Informal Settlement to work with Police to ensure that those who are responsible for this disturbing incident are brought to book. We also call on the private security industry and community policing forums to form close partnerships with the Police to stamp out all illegal mining in Gauteng.
“We extend our condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones in this terrible incident. We will wait for a detailed report from the management of SAPS in the province that will give an account of what happened and what is being done to eradicate illegal mining in Gauteng,” Hon. Masuku said.
