Nigerians are amongst foreign nationals carrying out illegal mining in South Africa, the government has said while announcing arrests.
A government task force comprising of several agencies reported the multinational nature of illegal mining activities in the country last week, saying over 4,000 suspects had been arrested.
Government ministers found that of 4, 067 people arrested on illegal mining charges, 2,739 were foreign nationals from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan and Uganda, according to Mining Weekly.
Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise said those arrested were being dealt with harshly, regardless of nationality. “We will not become diplomatic when our economy is being attacked through these acts,” she was quoted as saying.
Why this matters
South Africa has become increasingly known for its intolerance for African migrants, including Nigerians. The new charges are likely to draw questions about whether those arrested were actually culpable.
Foreign scourge
Like Nigeria, South Africa has experienced rising cases of illegal mining. The country holds the world’s largest reported reserves of gold, platinum group metals, chrome ore and manganese ore and more.
The government said illegal mining was causing it immense revenue loss. Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the deployment of 3,300 national defence force members across all provinces to April 28, 2024, to intensify operations against illegal mining.
The illegal mining combat team comprises the departments of Police, Justice and Correctional Services; Social Development; Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; Defence; Home Affairs; and Mineral Resources and Energy, as well as State entities such as the State Security Agency and the National Prosecuting Authority.
An official said it considered deporting or detaining foreign nationals locally on a case-to-case basis, and was working with neighbouring countries, particularly Lesotho and Mozambique, to help stop illegal mining by foreign nationals in South Africa.
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