Deputy National Commissioner responsible for Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, says it is deeply concerning that houses and roads in parts of Bapong, near Brits in the North West are caving in due to illegal mining activities.
Mosikili briefed the media at the local police station on Thursday afternoon after a tour to the hot spots and said police have successfully halted illegal operations in the village.
She also dismissed widely circulated social media posts claiming that armed men were guarding illegal mining sites, calling them misleading and false.
“I repeat, those posts are misleading and false. The private security officers seen in the area are valid Psira-accredited personnel appointed by Bapo ba Mogale to help stop illegal activities that have already cost lives,” she said.
Mosikili assured residents that police would work to restore peace and stability in the affected community.
However, the situation has left many in fear. A local woman, who asked to remain anonymous for her safety, said she was threatened after refusing to allow illegal miners to dig on her property.
“I refused to work with them. That’s why they dug and ended up in my yard,” she said.
“They said they will kill me because I refused to work with them and I talk too much.”
She claimed the illegal mining operation is a well-organised network involving foreign nationals.
“They come with big trucks to dig, and they also bring heavy machinery to load the chrome.”
Some residents refused to speak at all out of fear. Others, who did not want to comment formally, said they worry about the future of their children in such a dangerous environment.
The anonymous resident added that several houses have cracked due to the underground digging, and many families are effectively living on a mine dump.
Community leader Vladimir Mogale said he was happy that police promised to stop the illegal operations.
“The operation Vala Mgodi we belive it has done a good work we have seen arrests. We are assuming that help is indeed coming and the quick response from the police has given us that motivation.”
