We have just taken a walk around this area of Bapong, and as you can see, this situation, where rampant illegal mining activity is taking place, cannot be allowed to continue, as the lives and livelihoods of our communities are at risk.
As you can see, it seems as though the soil surrounding these homes is now unstable due to the illegal mining that has been happening in this area, and should this soil collapse any further, we are going to face an even bigger problem. With that said, we must immediately put a stop and an end to these illegal activities.
Earlier on, I received a full briefing from the NATJOINTS on possible intervention measures that can be immediately implemented.
I am aware that the province has been conducting crime intelligence disruptive operations in this area, and as a result, over the weekend, we have seen eleven illegal miners arrested, and a number of illegal mining tools and excavators being seized and
As part of our immediate intervention measures, we have made a decision that:
- We are enhancing and heightening our crime combating operations to deal decisively with these illegal mining activities…
- We are deploying more police officers on the ground, such as crime intelligence officers, members of the Hawks, detectives and tactical units, to prevent and combat these illegal mining activities.
- We have also established an integrated and multidisciplinary intervention team within the PROVJOINTS AND NATJOINTS to ensure implementation and enforcement of our country’s laws. What is currently happening here is illegal and detrimental to the environment, including water sources and most importantly, poses a health and imminent safety risk for our communities. This is theft of minerals which belong to all South Africans and which legally done, can contribute to economic growth, community development and decent jobs in the area. It’s important to highlight that only the DMPR can legally issue a permit or license for any mining activity. So, anyone who is not in possession of a permit from the DMRE to mine is committing a crime.
- This intervention team will include officials from various departments led by SAPS, inclusive of the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and others. This team has already hit the ground running and will continue to work to stabilise and normalise this area through all possible means to stop these illegal activities.
- Daily operations will be monitored on a weekly basis while we intensify and sharpen our long-term plans to ensure a lasting solution to these illegal acts.
- Daily operations will include compliance inspections and disruptive operations together with DMPRE at identified sites for illegal mining activities…
- We are continuing with our disruptive operations, and where necessary, we will continue to effect the necessary arrests and conduct search and seizure operations of tools and resources that are being used to conduct these illegal mining activities.
- We remain committed to working closely with our communities and key stakeholders to put a stop to these illegal and dangerous activities…
- I will be receiving a weekly report on progress made in dealing decisively with this challenge…
- And we will find anyone who is behind these illegal operations, and they will answer for the crimes committed
- We urge our communities to cooperate fully with our law enforcement officers and to refuse to be used by these criminal elements.
Speaker notes of General Fannie Masemola at Bapong, Brits, during illegal mining operations
Authorities to address rampant illegal mining activity at Baponghttps://t.co/NM6p0RYw22#IllegalMining #Crime @SAPoliceService @MiningSafety @ConstructionSfy pic.twitter.com/zSDwfjqCqG
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 16, 2025
