The Inkatha Freedom Party believes that now it’s high time for government to consider the importance of holding a special summit on illegal exploitation of natural resources after illegal miners have been trapped at a Langlaagte shaft since last week.
“It is important to have such summit involving different mining stakeholders to pave a way forward on what are the real causes of illegal mining. This summit must come out with concrete measures to eradicate illegal mining as it leads to loss of life and has a negative impact on the environment, as well as the revenue of the mining sector and the country. We need to take serious steps in eradicating this scourge of illegal mining. Government must establish a high level taskforce to discuss this dangerous practice in the mining sector,” said IFP National Chairperson, Mr Blessed Gwala.
“Furthermore, we believe that government must play an expanded role by providing educational and awareness around the dangers associated with illegal mining especially in those arear where disused mines exist. Communities should be empowered with education awareness programs on mining activities and its effects. Although we call for a special summit we are also aware that people are hungry due to unemployment which makes them desperate in risking their lives in order to survive. Government must take the blame for its empty promises of creating decent jobs for people. If the ANC-led government was successful in creating jobs such incidents would have been prevented. One wonders how the ANC is expecting unemployed people to survive as it has failed to create decent jobs,” concluded Mr Gwala.
The IFP calls on all affected parties to speed up the process of rescuing the trapped miners.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala
IFP National Chairperson
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