By Umamah Bakharia

The DA is petitioning the Portfolio Committee of Mineral Resources and Energy, SAPS, Home Affairs and the Portfolio Committee of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to combine forces to address issues of illegal mining in Ekurhuleni.

In recent months, illegal mining has increased in the Ekurhuleni region with members of the Zama Zama being killed in a shoot out in Boksburg. This also saw the arrest of 11 suspects for illegal mining related crimes.

DA Benoni Constituency Head, Haseena Ismail spoke to Radio Islam on the treat illegal mining is becoming on Ekurhuleni residents.

“Due to illegal mining, sinkholes are developing [and] roads collapsing [which is] an inconvenience with traffic every morning,” said Ismail. She adds that this brings in the issues of infrastructure.

Reports suggest that Benoni has become a hotspot for revel gang killings in the illegal mining sector. According to Ismail, local police, security and members of the public have been looking into the protection of the residents of Ekurhuleni, however, Ismail said, “it is not effective, we need government intervention.”

Last week, the DA submitted a motion where the party will request the house of parliament to have a formal discussion on illegal mining so that a solution to the issue can be concluded to curb crime.

“This matter is not addressed properly at national level,” said Ismail.