MMC accuses SAPS of failing to deal with Riverlea illegal mining

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The MMC for public safety in the Johannesburg Metro, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku has accused the South African Police Services (SAPS) members, of failing to support the city’s undercover operations aimed at dealing with illegal miners in Riverlea.

Tshwaku said that they are aware of a territorial war in the area, and have been deploying the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s (JMPD) undercover unit.

The situation remains tense, with a heavy police presence following a protest by the community, who say that they are terrorised by illegal mining activities in the area.

Tshwaku says illegal mining is big business.

He says, “Remember we are the JMPD, you know we’re actually under SAPS, in a way we’re actually operating with SAPS. So, everytime when we have to do operations of this nature, you find that we will do a parade and then SAPS, they will not come in. Even our undercover unit was here yesterday, we saw a lot of holes that are here, and then what we found was that we’ve got a turf war, it’s a territorial war that is actually happening. Also, what the people must understand is that there is a supply, it’s a chain, it’s a business, it is a big business.”

VIDEO: Interview with Dr Mgcini Tshwaku: