During the annual State of the Nation address on Feb. 12, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the deployment of military troops to support police efforts against illegal mining and gang violence in the provinces of Gauteng and Western Cape.
In his speech, President Ramaphosa stated that organized crime is a major threat to South Africa’s economic growth and security, justifying the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to assist police in combating gang violence and illegal mining in the Western Cape and Gauteng, two provinces that have experienced mass shootings and violence linked to illegal mining. The Defense Ministry indicated that preparations were underway to finalize the troops deployment plan in priority areas within the next few days, pending parliamentary approval.
The president also announced that his country will implement a whole strategy focused on the use of technology, intelligence, and integrated law enforcement to address organized criminal activity and its root causes. The new measures include streamlining regulations on firearm possession and trade, increasing police officer recruitment, and eradicating corruption within government institutions, including police departments. The aim of these measures is not only to tackle organized crime but also to fight corruption and illicit firearms trading, which are fueling ongoing gang wars and illegal mining activities.
South Africa has for years struggled with gang violence and illegal mining, which threaten the country’s stability and are impeding economic growth. The government has intensified efforts to combat the surge in violence by implementing targeted strategies and measures, such as creating specialized police units.
While many individuals engage in illegal mining due to unemployment, the mining is closely tied to organized crime, involving international criminal syndicates that employ illegal artisanal miners known as zama zama. These illegal miners are often heavily armed, conduct attacks against rival miners and security forces, and usually sell extracted minerals to local dealers or exporters. The South African government has employed several measures to combat this activity, such as the criminalization of illegal mining under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28. Controversy surrounded last year’s deadly Operation Vala Umgodi, a security initiative that included cutting off food and water supplies to workers illegally occupying an abandoned mine to resurface so they could be arrested.
From JURIST, Feb. 13. Used with permission
Photo: Wesley Nitsckie via Wikipedia
