Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said he supports the call for the army to fight illegal mining, but specialised law enforcement is needed to deal with the scourge.
Lesufi was speaking at the Angelo Informal Settlement in Boksburg, where 17 people died after inhaling nitrate oxide, which leaked from a gas cylinder.
“I’m calling for maximum firepower. We are using outdated law enforcement, and the process of bringing the army is lengthy. We just must overhaul our law enforcement. We just need a specialised way of dealing with illegal miners.
“As a province, if we can’t confront crime, lawlessness, and corruption head-on, we will not win this fight. Our police need firepower, personnel, technology, and innovation to confront this situation,” said Lesufi.
About 12 other people were taken to the hospital. One of those admitted was in a critical condition.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the nitrate oxide was being used by illegal miners in the area to extrapolate what is perceived as gold from the soil in the informal settlement.
“On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.
“We are confident that the investigations led by the police will assist us in getting to the bottom of this senseless loss of lives, so we can go back to the affected families and explain what happened”, said Lesufi.
Premier Lesufi added that the provincial government will give the necessary support to the affected families.
The gas leak comes seven months after the Boksburg gas tanker explosion that claimed the lives of 41 people in December 2022.
By Lerato Mailoane
