Cabinet has approved the allocation of R2.1-billion in the criminal asset recovery account to provide aid in the fight against illegal mining and other organised crimes in South Africa.

“Illicit mining and organised crime continue to be a threat to the South African economy,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Pretoria on November 20.

The funds have been allocated to the South African Police Service (Saps), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Agency and the Government Communication and Information System.

Ntshavheni said the Saps would use the funds to buy additional vehicles, helicopters and nyalas, as well as to deploy more than 400 additional officers over 18 months.

“Illegal mining and other organised crimes cost South Africa billions of rands each year and it affects our position as an investment destination,” she said.

In addition, Cabinet welcomed the deployment of 3 300 members of the SANDF from October 28 until April 28, 2024, to support the Saps 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,” Ntshavenhi said.  

She said the Ministers of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cabinet Cluster had provided progress reports on the work under way in the fight against crime, in particular, organised crime and illegal mining.