19 Jan 2015

Residents of Kumakwane say their village has turned into a paradise for illegal sand mining. The residents pronounced this last week during a kgotla meeting addressed by the Thamaga-Kumakwane area Member of Parliament Mr Tshenolo Mabeo.

Kgosi Chomi Seboni, when welcoming the MP, said the issue of illegal sand mining in the area goes far back yet there has been no solution to the problem. He said even the police officers often charge the offenders but that has not deterred the culprits from committing the offence.

Kgosi Seboni said that the area around the village has been heavily affected by the illegal sand harvesting and added that the affected area needs to be rehabilitated. One of the community members, Mr Mothibi Phatswane said there are heavy activities of illegal sand mining in the area.

He said some of the miners work in collaboration with the community members and encouraged residents not to aide illegal activities. Further, Mr Phatswane said other people dump waste in the area while some churches are also polluting the area through some of the activities they carry in the hills around the village.

However Thamaga police station commander, Superintendent Moses Makgoeng whose policing area covers Kumakwane blamed the situation on the current prescribed charge.

He said the charge for admission of guilt for illegally harvesting sand stands at P1 000, which does not deter the culprits from committing the offence again. Superintendent Makgoeng said after the culprits have paid the admission of guilt fees, the police cannot impound their vehicles as it will be illegal.

Further, Superintendent Makgoeng added that there is currently no one with a permission to mine in the area despite alleged activities. For his part, MP Mabeo who is also the Minister of Transport and Communication said the government does not condone the illegal mining of sand.

He said the activity has detrimental effects on the environment and added that some of the ploughing fields in the area have been dug which cannot be tolerated.

However, he called upon the residents to join hands and work towards a common goal of protecting their environment and added that it is disheartening that some of the members work in collaboration with the illegal miners.On other issues,  Mr  Mabeo told his constituents that Morupule B Plant has not been able to work to its capacity.

However, he said the government will continue to ensure that the country has sufficient electricity.
 Furthermore, he said Kumakwane is earmarked for the construction of a clinic with a maternity wing in the not so distant future.

MP Mabeo was touring his constituency to brief them about the previous parliamentary session as well as to interact with them ahead of the coming parliament session.
ENDS