Forum for SA implicates high level politicians in illegal mining
Tebogo Mashilompane, Forum for SA leader, says his organisation has been investigating who's behind illegal mining in South Africa.
He says their intelligence unit has found out that there are "political heavyweights" involved in illegal mining.
READ: Illegal mining | Around 12,000 zama zamas active in SA
Mashilompane says illegal mining kingpins are protected by the politicians.
Forum for SA's allegations come after over 550 zama zamas were arrested during Operation Vala uMgodi at the Sheba mine in Mpumalanga.
The South African Human Rights Commission has instituted an inquiry into illegal mining.
This after the commission received a complaint over illegal operations in Stilfontein.
WATCH | Impact of illegal mining on businesses
In 2024, more than 1,000 illegal miners surfaced from the abandoned shafts in Stilfontein and over 80 bodies were retrieved.
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe estimates that this criminal activity, cost the South African economy R60 billion in 2024.
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