Cape Town – The South African government has demonstrated its commitment to eradicating the illegal mining industry by deploying 3,300 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). This move, as stated by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, signifies a serious approach to eliminating illegal mining activities that have been plaguing the country.
According to South African Government News Agency, during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Pretoria on Monday, the SANDF personnel will be operational from 28 October 2023 to 28 April 2024. Their deployment aims to support the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies in addressing the challenges posed by illegal mining. This initiative is a part of the government’s broader strategy to foster inclusive growth and transform the nation’s economy.
Additionally, the Minister highlighted the ongoing efforts in crime prevention and anti-corruption measures. The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster has made significant progress in combating crime, with Police Minister Bheki Cele providing recent updates on quarterly crime statistics.
Cabinet also praised the successful execution of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council’s (NACAC) National Dialogue, which focused on the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and the recommendations from the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture. This dialogue led to significant strides in legislative reforms, with 8 out of 16 proposed bills now before Parliament. These bills target various areas such as public procurement, administrative reform, public servant conduct, intelligence services reform, money laundering, and electoral reform.
Furthermore, Ntshavheni mentioned the accomplishments of the Asset Forfeiture Unit, which has been granted freezing orders worth R14 billion related to state capture cases and has recovered R5.4 billion in ill-gotten gains. The Investigating Directorate has also been active, taking 34 state capture and corruption cases to court, involving 205 accused individuals.
This combined effort in deploying SANDF personnel against illegal mining and the progress in legal and anti-corruption measures demonstrate the South African government’s dedication to maintaining law and order and promoting economic growth and transformation.