The deployment of some 3 300 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel in the fight against illegal mining is an indication of government’s seriousness of rooting out the scourge.
This is according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
“Cabinet welcomed the deployment of 3 300 members of the [SANDF] from 28 October 2023 until 28 April 2024, to support the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to deal with illegal mining in the country.
“This deployment affirms government’s commitment to put an end to illegal mining and create conditions for inclusive growth and transformation of the economy,” the Minister said at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Pretoria on Monday.
Turning to crime and corruption, Ntshavheni said Ministers forming part of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster have made “progress with work underway to fight against crime” with Police Minister Bheki Cele having already provided an update to the nation on quarterly crime statistics.
Furthermore, Cabinet has welcomed the “successful hosting” of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council’s (NACAC) National Dialogue.
The dialogue was held last week and deliberated on progress in implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.
“The progress includes 8 out of 16 recommended pieces of legislative reforms to address specific recommendations of the State Capture Commission that are now before Parliament. These Bills cover areas such as public procurement, administrative reform, conduct of public servants, reform of intelligence services, money laundering and electoral reform.
“The Asset Forfeiture Unit has been granted freezing orders worth R14 billion for state capture related cases and recouped R5.4 billion of the ill-gotten gains. In addition, the Investigating Directorate has taken 34 state capture and corruption cases to court, involving 205 accused persons,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za
