City to engage Department of Mineral Resources on illegal mining
Yesterday I, together with the Members of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Transport, Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba, and Health and Social Development, Cllr Mpho Phalatse, inspected sites in the city where rampant vandalism, theft of infrastructure and illegal mining remain the order of the day.
The Members of the Mayoral Committee and I were accompanied by senior officials from the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), national Departments of Home Affairs (DHA) and Mineral Resources (DMR), the South African Police Service (SAPS), Transnet and civil society organisations.
The issues we identified during the visit are multi-pronged in nature and cut across various government departments and institutions, as well private sector players. A multi-agency and collaborative approach is therefore a prerequisite to addressing this crises – no single entity or institution can resolve the problem at hand.
During the visit, we witnessed how dangerous illegal mining, reportedly taking place in old mine shafts, has threatened the safety of community by coming into contact with petroleum pipeline networks owned by Transnet.
Transnet Pipelines (TPL) operates and maintains a petroleum pipeline network, which is of national interest and strategic importance to the South African economy. The pipeline conveys petroleum products from various refineries and related facilities to inland consumers.
The pipeline network and related infrastructure is geographically across five provinces, one of them being in Gauteng, in particular within the boundaries of the City of Johannesburg in the following areas:
• Nasrec
• Riverlea
• Langlaagte
• Highgate
• Robertville
• Florida
• Roodepoort and
• Mathollesville
Of significance is the Nasrec precinct where the pipelines intersects with SASOL gaslines. Investigations conducted by the IPU have revealed that if illegal mining activity continues within these old mining shafts, the entire FNB Nasrec precinct, including the iconic FNB stadium, could go down in ruins as a result of unstable earth directly underneath the area.
This is catastrophic considering the precious lives, and property in the area, notwithstanding the economic impact it would have on the City and indeed the Country.
I will be engaging with the Minister on Mineral Resources, Mr Mosebenzi Zwane, on how we can work together to avert this real threat to the City. I have requested that the IPU and all relevant stakeholders formulate a report for the Minister’s consideration with the view of obtaining the necessary support from national government.
I implore members of the public to report any suspicious or illegal mining activity taking place in the City by making use of the following channels:
• Twitter: @MyJra
• Facebook: Johannesburg Roads Agency
• Email hotline@jra.org.za
• Hotline: 0860 Joburg (562 874)
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Joburg
For further information, please contact:
Luyanda Mfeka
Acting Director of Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
Tel: 011 407 6727
Cellular: 076 171 5978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za
