AS the dust settles from a recent government-sponsored rescue mission in Stilfontein, the pervasive issue of illegal mining continues to cast a long shadow over the North West province of South Africa.
Deep in the eastern reaches of the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, near Sun City, the Baphalane villages are grappling with a troubling surge in illegal mining activities, an alarming trend that has intensified over the past few years.
Led by Kgosi Mmanotshe Ramokoka, the Baphalane Traditional Council has publicly condemned the illegal chrome mining operations taking place in Witrantjie village.
This condemnation follows a violent incident where clashes between employees of rival security companies resulted in the injuries of three men.
“The council has noted with concern developments around killings connected to the illegal mining of chrome in their village,” Ramokoka said.
Recent events highlight the rising tensions, notably a video circulating on social media that depicts a troubling confrontation between residents and illegal miners in Witrantjie, a community under the auspices of the Baphalane Traditional Council.
In response to the escalating crisis, Kgosi Ramokoka has distanced his council from the acts of criminality and has urgently called upon law enforcement to intervene.
“We are appealing to the police to come and assist us as our communities are caught in a crossfire between these criminals,” he said.
The illegal mining phenomenon not only poses a threat to community safety but also undermines the local economy.
Ramokoka shed light on the detrimental impact of these operations, stressing the loss of formal job opportunities and the government's inability to collect taxes from legitimate mining activities. “This activity robs our people of formal jobs and robs the government from collecting taxes from formal mining operations.”
In an effort to combat this growing menace, Ramokoka has urged local residents to reject the allure of leasing their land to illegal miners.
“It has caused instability in Witrantjie where people were forced to pick up arms against zama zamas illegally extracting chrome from their land,” he said.
The issue of illegal mining is not isolated to the Baphalane villages; it has become a national crisis. Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has characterised illegal mining as an “attack on the economy,” with estimates suggesting that the illicit trade of precious metals could reach R60 billion by 2024.
The situation demands immediate and decisive action not only from local councils but also from national authorities.
As violence continues to flare and communities remain on edge, the plight of the Baphalane villages serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by illegal mining in South Africa.