Premier Lesufi welcomes SANDF deployment after Ramaphosa vows crackdown on illegal mining in Gauteng
Premier Panyaza Lesufi says soldiers supporting police will help curb violent illegal mining syndicates that threaten communities and infrastructure.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi on Friday welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) in combating illegal mining syndicates in the province.
Ramaphosa made the announcement during his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), saying the army would be sent to bolster police efforts against illegal mining and violent gang activity in Gauteng and the Western Cape — part of a broader strategy to tackle organised crime, which he described as one of the country’s most immediate threats.
In his statement, Lesufi described the SANDF deployment as a decisive and necessary intervention to confront what he called the growing threat of illegal mining in Gauteng.
He said illegal mining has become a “serious criminal enterprise” that threatens the safety of communities, exploits vulnerable people and damages infrastructure and the environment. He said the deployment shows the government’s commitment to restoring law and order.
Lesufi reiterated that illegal mining activities undermine the rule of law and endanger residents, adding that some areas in the province have experienced violent crime, unsafe abandoned mining shafts and intimidation by illegal miners.
Illegal mining in South Africa involves thousands of artisanal miners known locally as zama zamas who operate in disused or active mining sites, often under the control of criminal syndicates. The phenomenon has been linked to organised crime, environmental degradation and significant economic losses, with Gauteng a prominent hotspot due to its concentration of abandoned gold mines.
Lesufi said the joint SANDF and SAPS operations would strengthen law enforcement capacity and coordination in targeting illegal mining networks.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi says soldiers supporting police will help curb violent illegal mining syndicates that threaten communities and infrastructure.
Image: Austin Mabunda
He also reaffirmed the Gauteng government’s full support for the initiative, saying the province will work closely with national government, law enforcement and affected municipalities to ensure the success of the deployment.
“The people of Gauteng deserve to live in safe communities free from criminality. We remain committed to doing everything possible, together with national government, to eradicate illegal mining and its associated crimes,” Lesufi said.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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