The Democratic Alliance took the opportunity to respond to the article in the GCN of October 18.<\/p>\n
The DA is relieved by the arrests that have been made in connection with illegal mining in the Marlands area.<\/p>
DA councillor Tania Campbell said: “I have been urging that action be taken by both the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) for over three months, as I felt that there was a lack of urgency around the problems being caused by illegal miners.”<\/p>\n
The problem began when the Water Department brought the damage to sewerage and water pipes in the Marlands area to Campbell’s attention.<\/p>
The metro and Water Department were first alerted to the damage<\/p>\n
When Campbell visited the area she discovered that sections of the sewerage and water pipes had been damaged by the illegal miners’ activities in the area.<\/p>\n
It was then that Campbell advised officials in the department to work hand-in-hand with the EMPD as the illegal miners may pose a threat to water department officials.<\/p>\n
Both Campbell and the GCN brought this matter to the attention of the Primrose SAPS and the SAPS began to investigate the reported problem.<\/p>\n
In addition there is an on-going problem in Wit Street over the weekends, where not only illegal mining is taking place, but a property is also being occupied by vagrants.<\/p>\n
This matter has also been brought to the attention of the police and council on numerous occasions by residents and Campbell.<\/p>\n
Campbell reminded the authorities at large, including the Ekurhuleni Metro Council, that illegal mining is an unfortunate sign of the times.<\/p>\n
“This wouldn’t be happening if unemployment in Ekurhuleni hadn’t reached desperate levels,” she said.<\/p>\n
The Mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele, and the MMC for Finance, Moses Makwakwa, have conceded that Ekurhuleni’s unemployment rate is well above the national average.<\/p>\n