Premier Ramathuba, her provincial executive, and the Limpopo Legislature have failed to act despite sustained and repeated calls by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo to protect rural and farming communities, as well as the environment, from the escalating illegal mining crisis in the province, which has now descended into open and brazen lawlessness.
In light of this continued provincial inaction, the Democratic Alliance in Limpopo will formally approach the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mr Willie Aucamp, to urgently intervene.
We will call on Minister Aucamp to consider establishing a coordinated multi-sectoral task team involving relevant national and provincial departments, law-enforcement agencies, and, through the appropriate constitutional channels, support from the South African National Defence Force, to deal decisively with this growing scourge.
The failure of the provincial government to respond meaningfully has now made national intervention both necessary and unavoidable.
Illegal mining in Limpopo has evolved into organised criminal activity operating with crass impunity across the province. It is undermining rural safety, agriculture, water security, environmental protection, and the rule of law, while leaving farming and rural communities increasingly vulnerable in the face of rampant intimidation and lawlessness. In a recent plea for help from the Steelpoort area, it is alleged that more than 50 excavators are currently openly operating between the Lion Smelter and the Tubatse Ferrochrome Plant.
The ANC-led Limpopo Provincial Executive has failed in its duty to prevent environmental destruction, escalate criminal violations for prosecution, and ensure effective policing oversight. In February this year, the DA wrote to Premier Phophi Ramathuba urging a coordinated government-wide response, yet no acknowledgment has even been received.
As the DA in Limpopo, we will not stand by while rural communities are abandoned and the environment is permanently damaged. We will continue to fight to restore the rule of law, protect livelihoods, and end the provincial government’s failure to act.