/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.
Illegal and unscrupulous sand mining has laid waste to large swathes of land across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), while government seems partially incapable of halting the scourge.
A cross-cutting and multi-governmental problem – sand mining and its associated pits have been responsible for the drowning deaths of several children and untold livestock.
Recent oversight by KZN’s Conservation and Environmental Affairs portfolio committee has now revealed the devastation of uncontrolled sand mining in the eMadlangeni Municipality near the Buffelsrivier region. (view here and here)
Investigations have confirmed that miners have stripped dozens of hectares of soil from grazing land without authority from local leadership – and allegedly without permits from the Department of Minerals Resources. Grazing has been decimated while truckloads of sand are believed to have been excavated and sold in Newcastle for profit.
The DA is not only appalled by the destruction but has demanded authorities toughen their stance in dealing with illegal miners.
In a report tabled before the portfolio committee, it appears all major rivers in the province are subject to an intricate network of mining – with 45 active criminal cases being investigated.
The R2 500 fines issued to two miners are wholly inadequate, while crime intelligence operations are needed to secure evidence and affect arrests. Moreover, both national and provincial government must make provision for the confiscation of heavy equipment used by illegal miners.
Oversight has revealed how miners often run circles around environmental compliance inspectors and escape arrest, secure in the knowledge that government does not have the means to confiscate machinery.
Environmental legislation must be ramped up and acted on if the natural heritage of our province is to be preserved.
Issued by Heinz de Boer, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on EDTEA
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE ARTICLE ENQUIRY
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
