Category: English

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has warned that illegal mining is one of the most pressing challenges facing South Africa’s mining sector – costing the economy billions in lost revenue.

The Minister was delivering remarks at the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) National Inquiry into Policy Framework around Artisanal Mining.

The inquiry – now in its second leg – is investigating the Policy Framework around artisanal mining, the impact of artisanal mining on the human rights of surrounding communities and the scope and tactics employed in Operation Vala Umgodi.

“The dawn of democracy in 1994 marked a decisive break with this past. It ushered in a constitutional order grounded in human dignity, equality, and freedom, and it gave us the opportunity – and the responsibility – to correct historical injustices.

“For the mining industry, this meant developing a regulatory framework that promotes meaningful participation of historically disadvantaged persons, ensures responsible and sustainable mining, and drives socio-economic development.

“While progress has been made, significant challenges remain. One of the most pressing challenges confronting the sector is illegal mining, which is often conflated with artisanal and small-scale mining,” Mantashe said.

He noted the fundamental differences between artisanal and illegal mining, namely:

• Illegal mining is a criminal activity conducted in direct contravention of South African law. It is part of broader organised economic crimes and is often linked to serious offences, including illicit financial flows, extreme violence, human trafficking, gender-based violence and femicide, as well as the smuggling of weapons and explosives.
• Artisanal and small-scale mining, by contrast, is a legitimate and formalised economic activity, usually undertaken by citizens or legally documented residents, within a regulated framework.

He added that there is a “disturbing trend” emerging from illegal mining incidents with the involvement of undocumented foreign nationals.

He cited examples including:

• In the Stilfontein incident, 1 826 illegal miners surfaced from underground. The majority of those involved were undocumented foreign nationals from Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
• In Barberton, approximately 1 000 illegal miners were arrested, many of whom were also undocumented foreign nationals from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.

“We must be clear: an individual who enters the country illegally and engages in unlawful economic activity cannot be sanitised or reclassified as an artisanal and small-scale miner.

“Whereas illegal mining was once largely confined to derelict and ownerless mines, it is now increasingly encroaching on operational and licensed mines, posing serious risks to safety, security, and economic stability,” he said.

Lost revenue

Mantashe told the inquiry that illegal mining cost the South African economy and the sector some R49 billion in 2019.

In response, government adopted a strategy including:

• The acceleration of the rehabilitation of derelict and ownerless mines
• Implementing Operation Vala uMgodi to clamp down on illegal mining activities
• Streamlining the regulatory framework to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining, while strengthening sanctions against illegal mining 

Strides have also been made in the rehabilitation of derelict and ownerless mines with at least four asbestos mines rehabilitated and 280 mine openings closed.

“This was made possible by an additional funding of R180 million allocated to the programme in the previous financial year.

“For the current financial year, a further R134.7 million was transferred to Mintek to continue this important work. It is important for the commission to note that the annual number of mines to be rehabilitated is dictated by the annual budget allocation received from the National Treasury.

“The department is also closely monitoring the rehabilitation and safe closure of operational mines to prevent these operations from becoming a burden on the state and future generations,” the minister noted.

Furthermore, a review of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) is also underway.

This seeks to:

• Formalise artisanal and small-scale mining,
• Prohibit illegal mining,
• Criminalise the transportation and trade of minerals without prescribed documentation.

“Even as this review continues, the Department has already acted. In 2022, we published the Policy on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining for implementation. This policy provides a framework to formalise the sector and enable lawful economic participation, primarily for South African citizens and legally documented individuals.

“Let me be clear: this policy does not legitimise illegal mining. It creates pathways for lawful, regulated participation – while ensuring that criminal activity is firmly and decisively addressed,” Mantashe concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Residents of the Chaba Administrative Area (Ward 1) in Engcobo are one step closer to safer travel, improved access to services and new job opportunities, following the official introduction of a contractor for the long-awaited Chaba Bridge and access road.

For years, community members have had to contend with difficult and often unsafe travel conditions, particularly during heavy rains when access routes become hazardous.

The new project is expected to ease these daily challenges and bring long-term relief to residents who rely on the route to reach schools, health facilities and government offices.

Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality Mayor Siyabulela Zangqa introduced the appointed contractor to the community, marking a key milestone in the municipality’s ongoing drive to improve infrastructure and service delivery in rural areas.

Valued at R24 million, the project entails the construction of a new bridge and a 4.9-kilometre access road. Once completed, the development is expected to significantly improve connectivity, enhance road safety and facilitate smoother movement for residents and road users.

The improved infrastructure will also help stimulate local economic activity by making the area more accessible.

Zangqa said the construction is expected to take approximately 12 months and expected to create employment opportunities for about 20 local residents, ensuring that the project delivers immediate economic benefits while promoting community involvement throughout its implementation.

Zangqa said the project was a direct response to issues raised by residents during the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) roadshows, highlighting the importance of public participation in shaping development priorities.

“The municipality will continue to engage with residents to address other matters that require attention,” Zangqa said, reaffirming the local government’s commitment to listening to community concerns.

He added that the Chaba Bridge and access road project represented a major step towards improved living conditions for communities across the area, reinforcing infrastructure investment and supporting inclusive growth across the municipality. – SAnews.gov.za

Next week’s Mining Indaba Investment Forum will provide an opportunity for direct engagement between government and investors, with a strong emphasis on strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors. 

This as the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), in partnership with the Departments of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and Water and Sanitation (DWS), will host the joint Mining Indaba Investment Forum at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, in Cape Town on Monday, 9 February 2025.

Held under the theme:  “Building Critical Minerals Value Chains in South Africa”, the high-impact, investor-focused forum aims to showcase South Africa’s critical minerals investment proposition and highlight bankable, investor-ready projects across the value chain.

“Moreover, this is also an opportunity for direct engagement between government and investors, with a strong emphasis on strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors,” said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) on Tuesday.

A high-level panel of Ministers and private-sector representatives will lead discussions on enabling South Africa’s Critical Minerals Strategy, as well as advancing industrialisation, beneficiation and sustainable value-chain development.

The forum will also serve as a platform to position South Africa as a value-adding hub for critical minerals. In addition, it will showcase investor-ready projects and provide an opportunity for global investors to share market perspectives.

“The 2026 Mining Indaba provides an important opportunity to reinforce South Africa’s investment appeal in critical minerals.”

The department said the Indaba remains the world’s largest mining investment conference, drawing governments, global mining companies, original equipment manufacturers, technology firms, financiers, and development institutions. –SAnews.gov.za
 

Police in Kopanong and Parkweg are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect identified as 32-year-old Lloyd Mcdonald Siswe Jacobs, who is wanted for a number of serious offenses, including rape and conspiracy to commit murder.

On Sunday, 11 May 2025, at approximately 14:00, Kopanong police responded to a complaint at Muirfield Flats, North End Street, Navalsig. 

It is alleged that a 35-year-old victim met the man, known to her at the time as “Shane Carson” via Facebook. The suspect invited the victim to his residence for their first date.

​Upon arrival, the suspect allegedly served the victim juice, after which she began to feel physically exhausted and disoriented. 

The suspect then allegedly moved the victim to the bathroom, where he proceeded to rape her. The victim managed to escape the premises after the suspect allowed her to step outside for fresh air.

Following intensive investigations, a warrant of arrest has been issued by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court for Jacobs.

“Investigations reveal that Jacobs utilises social media platforms, specifically Facebook, to lure and target victims under false identities. Furthermore, the suspect is also wanted in connection with a conspiracy to commit murder case, currently being investigated by Parkweg SAPS,” the police said in a statement. 

“The police urges the public to exercise extreme caution when meeting individuals from social media platforms. We are appealing to anyone who may have fallen victim to this suspect, or anyone with information regarding his current whereabouts, to come forward,” the police said.

Members of the public are advised to contact Detective Constable Jessica Du Preez of the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit at 082 527 7287 or call SAPS Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or leave an anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App.

​All information received will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCOD) has called for public comments on the draft regulations in terms of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024.

“Copies of the draft regulations are available on the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development website and in the Government Gazette. Members of the public and interested stakeholders are invited to submit written comments to the Department by 5 March 2026.

“All submissions received will be carefully considered before the regulations are finalised. Once finalised, the proposed limits will be submitted to Parliament for approval prior to coming into effect,” the DJCOD said on Tuesday.

The department explained that the draft regulations propose the “upper limits for the possession and cultivation of cannabis for private use and form part of the ongoing process to implement the Act”.

“In developing the draft regulations, the Minister considered a range of factors, including what may reasonably constitute private use, the number of cannabis plants required to support such use, and relevant international benchmarks.

“The draft regulations also set out administrative and technical processes relating to the expungement of qualifying criminal records,” the DJCOD said.

Constitutional question

Some eight years ago, the Constitutional Court delivered a judgement which found that it is not reasonable and justifiable to criminalise the private use of cannabis by an adult in “an open and democratic society founded on human dignity, equality, and freedom”.

The court also declared that the relevant legislative provisions related to this were constitutionally invalid and South Africa’s law-making body, Parliament, was ordered to effect the necessary amendments.

Subsequently, Parliament gave effect to the judgement by enacting the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024.

“The Act provides a regulatory framework for the use, possession, cultivation and transportation of cannabis for private purposes and makes provision for the expungement of criminal records for persons previously convicted of certain cannabis-related offences.

“While the Constitutional Court did not prescribe specific limits on the quantity of cannabis that may be possessed or cultivated for private use, it left this determination to Parliament,” the department explained.

The judgement by the Constitutional Court paved the way for decriminalisation of the use or possession of cannabis for private use by adults.

Scope 

However, this does not extend to the buying or selling of cannabis.

“Matters relating to the commercial cultivation, buying or selling of cannabis or cannabis products, as well as the recognition of traditional growers, fall outside the scope of the Act and are being addressed by other government departments, including those responsible for Trade, Industry and Competition, Agriculture, and Health,” the department said.

The judgement also does not extend to persons who are under the age of 18.

“The use of cannabis by children remains prohibited, primarily due to medical concerns regarding its impact on the developing brain.

“While the Constitutional Court found in the Centre for Child Law v Director of Public Prosecutions, Johannesburg (CCT 210/21) judgement that criminalising a child for the use or possession of cannabis was not in the child’s best interests, the Act places clear responsibility on adults and criminalises conduct where an adult permits a child to use or possess cannabis or supplies cannabis to a child.

“The draft regulations and the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act are confined to implementing the Constitutional Court decision on the private use of cannabis,” the department emphasised. – SAnews.gov.za

Restoration work is underway in the Kruger National Park following the flood damage sustained last month, says the South African National Parks (SANParks).

The floods caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, tourism facilities, and staff living quarters. 

The park’s H7 Route (Orpen Gate to Satara) is now open to traffic.

“Due to significant flood damage at Nsemani Dam Area, only one lane is currently accessible. Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution when passing through this section. Heavy vehicles exceeding eight tonnes are not permitted.

“SANParks is constructing a bypass via the S12 and S40 routes. This bypass will serve as an alternative route during dam repairs and reconstruction, ensuring continued accessibility,” SANParks said.

Furthermore, Tsendze Rustic Camp (near Mopani Rest Camp), Masorini Ruins – a Late Iron Age Site (12kms from Phalaborwa Gate) as well as Mooiplaas (near Mopani Rest Camp) and Babalala (between Punda Maria and Shingwedzi Camps) picnic sites are open as of Monday, 2 February 2026.

Guests are reminded that gravel roads marked with “No Entry” signs must not be accessed under any circumstances. 

Orpen Gate is now accessible for Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs). A quota system will apply to manage traffic flow and ensure visitor safety.

“SANParks acknowledges the inconvenience caused by the floods and appreciates the patience and cooperation of visitors during this period. Our teams are working tirelessly to restore infrastructure and ensure that Kruger National Park remains a safe and enjoyable destination for all.” –SAnews.gov.za