| 2024/03/28 |
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Media Statement POLOKWANE – The Police in Limpopo through Operation Vala Umgodi TACJOC in collaboration with Department of Mineral Resources and Energy have engaged with the Traditional Leaders raising awareness about illegal mining on Tuesday 26 March 2024, held at The Ranch Hotel outside Polokwane. The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Hosi Ngove, as welcoming the Traditional Leaders has appreciated the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy with their counterpart stakeholders for their collaborative efforts to raise awareness of illegal mining to the Traditional Leaders and suggesting it to be rolled out to reach the entire communities. Mr Nkosinathi Zweni outlined the purpose of the event afterwards he mentioned that the theme of the workshop as “Working together with the Traditional Leaders” Mr Zweni further mentioned that the portfolio committee has instructed the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to conduct workshops of this nature in all provinces. Mr Zweni mentioned that illegal mining has become a scourge that has made the State President reach to a reactive decision to deploy about three thousand members of the SANDF to collaborate with the SAPS and other Stakeholders to fight illegal mining. The Regional Manager Mr Mulaudzi has outlined the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) regulatory updates and has acknowledged the existence of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders and Khoi-San and ensuring the sustainable collaborative engagement with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. Mr Rudzani Mabogo of DMRE, Director for Compliance and Enforcement outlined the applicable legislations, requirements, types of enforcement actions, offenses and penalties in terms of various commodities acts. Mr Mabogo confirmed the existing collaborative engagement with the SAPS, SANDF, ESKOM, and Department of Home Affairs in the fight against illegal mining. Standing on behalf of the Capricorn District Municipality Executive Mayor, MMC for Strategic Executive Management Services, Cllr Mahlatji extended his sincere gratitude to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy for initiating this workshop and become a successful engagement. Cllr Mahlatji has commended the SAPS for being available to work closely with other law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in the fight against crime “This workshop is a historic session that laid a foundation to fight the scourge of illegal mining,” concluded Cllr Mahlatji. Sergeant Tsietsi Lamola in his presentation made the Traditional Leaders aware that illegal mining of minerals and sand is a crime. Sergeant Lamola reiterated that Operation Vala Umgodi is a crime prevention technique that is aimed at preventing and combating the scourge of illegal mining that has parliamentary mandate for the SAPS and SANDF to engage in a collaborative effort with the Department of Home Affairs and Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. Sergeant Lamola concluded by sharing the contacts details of the five District Commissioners following the concern brought forward by the Traditional Leaders of poor services from their local police stations. “If You See Something, Say something,” said Sergeant Lamola. The audiences were encouraged to report illegal mining and any other criminal activities to the SAPS Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or forward anonymous tip-off to MySAPS App. Ends
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