KZN MPLs descend on Newcastle amid spike in illegal mining
The KZN legislature's Conservation and Environmental Affairs Portfolio Committee says there has been an increase in reports of illegal mining in the province.
The committee visited the Amajuba District on Friday.
It has been meeting with communities there on ways to end the illegal activity.
Committee chairperson Sithembiso Mshengu says this problem impacts livelihoods and pollutes the water.
"We have received a number of complaints, and given the fact that it is our mandate, we are here to listen to the community in Newcastle as they have raised complaints about the effects of illegal mining."
The committee's oversight visit comes as it's feared at least 31 suspected illegal miners have died at a mine near Welkom in the Free State.
The Department of Mineral Resources believes many of them were from Lesotho.
Mshengu says they have been told of a syndicate operating at mining facilities.
He's warns if left alone, the situation could also get out of hand in KZN.
"This is going to escalate and cause another tough war, as has been the case even in the taxi industry. We are now going to bring together security agencies to work with traditional leaders and us as lawmakers in terms of trying to curb this problem."
