SAPS getting specialised unit to combat illegal miners

[wingnut771]

but is/was there not a specialized unit already? ... what was that whole mine bust thing on CarteBlanche a few months ago ? ... cant the same team do ALL the mines

I doubt you can catch zama zamas with helicopters.

 

[TheChamp]

I find it curious that Gwede is supporting the stopping of illegality. His solution when he started as minister was to legitimize the zama zamas. I wonder if he's changing tune or this is in addition to that plan which seems to be going nowhere slowly.

It's politically convenient to change his tune looking at the prevailing attitude towards Zama Zamas.

 

[wingnut771]

I wasn't aware there was a unit dealing exclusively with illegal mining.

Sorry, you're right, they have done nothing about illegal mining for 28 years.

 

[ForceFate]

I doubt you can catch zama zamas with helicopters.

There has been several operations (I'm aware of 2) in the past. Many, together with their higher ups, were caught but this was in NW and MP I think. L,NW, MP and GP are hotspots.

 

[c3n0byt3]

Dammit I was here for a name.
They usually come up with ridiculous names for these units. Can't wait.
We should have a mybb competition for one.

 

[wingnut771]

There has been several operations (I'm aware of 2) in the past. Many, together with their higher ups, were caught but this was in NW and MP I think. L,NW, MP and GP are hotspots.

Can you hide underground for weeks and weeks at those places?

 

[TheChamp]

If their sole purpose is to follow up on illegal mining, then I'm all for the new unit. I hope they don't land on the payroll of the illicit traders

My problem is that they will be fighting a losing battle, unless they are supported by all the stakeholders, the government wants to do all these interventions but their stance on illegal immigration and the porous borders hasn't changed.

The Zama zamas are simply going to outnumber the specialized unit, plus the human rights thing is just going to frustrate any firm handedness the unit might want to have on the problem.

At the end of the day you are just going to be left with an underwhelmed unit that is demotivated and joining in on the criminality, pretty much what SANDF has to deal with at the borders, there is just no commitment to rooting out the problem from the powers that be.

Unfortunately South Africa is full of hypocrites, if civil society was united we would reject any of this nonsense and insist on real solutions, but as with everything communities will be left to fend for themselves and will be left with no option but to resort to Dudula type of organizations because some are in support of the lawlessness of illegal immigration.

 

[wingnut771]

They should just full the mines with sand.

No body no crime.

 

[ForceFate]

My problem is that they will be fighting a losing battle, unless they are supported by all the stakeholders, the government wants to do all these interventions but their stance on illegal immigration and the porous borders hasn't changed.

The Zama zamas are simply going to outnumber the specialized unit, plus the human rights thing is just going to frustrate any firm handedness the unit might want to have on the problem.

At the end of the day you are just going to be left with an underwhelmed unit that is demotivated and joining in on the criminality, pretty much what SANDF has to deal with at the borders, there is just no commitment to rooting out the problem from the powers that be.

Unfortunately South Africa is full of hypocrites, if civil society was united we would reject any of this nonsense and insist on real solutions, but as with everything communities will be left to fend for themselves and will be left with no option but to resort to Dudula type of organizations because sod are in support of the lawlessness of illegal immigration.

True.

 

[ForceFate]

Can you hide underground for weeks and weeks at those places?

I have no idea. When I worked in MP few years ago, the area around the outskirts of my place of employment had illegal mining activity. Municipality and the police were aware but they would have needed resources to even attempt.

 

[j4ck455]

The South African Police Service will establish a specialised force to combat illegal mining that’s robbing the nation of revenue and hampering operations at mineral companies.

Perchance would this specialised force be code named "Dynamite" or "Bombs Away"?

Knowing this government (as we all do), cadre deployment within this "specialised force" is likely to be:

 

[nightjar]

Naturally, the new unit will need loads of new equipment costing six times the proper price with orders going to selected comrades after the style of Digital Vibes.

We are constantly being bombarded with the idea the the world has too much carbon dioxide so it seems that a good place to store it, like nuclear waste, would be underground and disused mines seem perfect.

 

[wingnut771]

Naturally, the new unit will need loads of new equipment costing six times the proper price with orders going to selected comrades after the style of Digital Vibes.

We are constantly being bombarded with the idea the the world has too much carbon dioxide so it seems that a good place to store it, like nuclear waste, would be underground and disused mines seem perfect.

I'm sure there will be a lot of skinny jeans orders in there too.

Can you imagine zama zamas taking hammer and pick to nuclear waste containers trying to get the metal for scrap dealers. I can. Nuclear waste sites need to be secure for at least 1000 years. We have a site for that already in the middle of nowhere in the NCape.