The North West Provincial Government has commended President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to deploy members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the province to support the South African Police service (SAPS) in its efforts to combat illegal mining and other violent crime.
Ramaphosa announced last month during his State of the Nation Address that SANDF members will be deployed in provinces such as Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng to assist the police combat high levels of crime and illegal mining.
Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Community Safety and Transport Management MEC, Wessels Morweng said that the deployment will also help fight illegal immigration in the province.
“We welcomed the President’s pronouncement that he will deploy SANDF members to the province.
I’m happy that SAPS Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Dr. Rayno Naidoo led the process of making sure that he deals with this multifaceted operation that we will be doing with other stakeholders including Border Management Authority (BMA).
The involvement of the latter will help to stop the movement of illegal immigrants into the province, which we have realised is a contributing factor in as far as criminality is concerned,” said Morweng.
Morweng added that they will prioritise problematic areas such as Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein, Hartebeesfontein, Tlhatlhaganyane in Moses Kotane, Mmasebudule in Ramotshere Moiloa and Bapong in Madibeng.
“This multi-pronged approach, seeks to ensure stability in affected communities and working with the intelligence community, identify and dismantle the syndicate networks,” remarked the MEC.
