06 Apr 2021

Ngamiland District commissioner, Mr Keolopile Leipego, has appealed to the community to join forces with authorities to fight illegal mining in the area.

Illegal mining, he said, was rampant in the district, noting that it was even practiced in sensitive areas such as rivers.

Mr Leipego made the plea in an interview following an operation to visit areas where mining was practiced around Maun as well as to appreciate the damages caused by illegal miners. 

The district commissioner recently led a delegation that comprised of representatives from the council, land board, and department of environmental affairs on an operation after some people who had been licensed to venture into mining businesses complained about illegal mining. 

Mr Leipego confirmed that the concerned people decried running businesses at a loss because illegal mining had become a nightmare, despite having heavily invested in their businesses.

He stated that their operation was successful since the concerned people took them to prone areas and fortunately caught one culprit at one of the spots.

However, he urged the community to jealously guard against their resources noting that it was a pity because illegal mining was degrading the rivers.

 He cited an area at Boro where there was a water stream saying illegal miners had destroyed the area and thus resulted in disturbing water flow.

He cautioned the community to understand that their district was a tourism destination, therefore, entertaining illegal activities could destroy the beauty of the area.

In addition, he said illegal mining was not only a threat to the life of the rivers, but that it posed a hazard to villagers and livestock.

Mr Leipego urged the community to report such incidents to relevant authorities noting that illegal mining was an offence punishable by the law. 

It was reported that a person who mined illegally was liable to a P100 000 fine.

He also appealed to miners to follow the right procedure and acquire proper documents to practice mining legally.

One of the concerned people, Mr Othusitse Chombo, said illegal mining had crippled their businesses as they were competing with illegal miners. 

Mr Chombo owns MC Equipment Hire, a company that had been licensed to mine sand and gravel at the Matlapana area.

He said since there was a construction boom in the district, contractors had resorted to buying sand cheaply from illegal miners.

Mr Chombo hailed efforts by the district leadership to embark on an operation to appreciate the situation following their complaints hoping that it would make a difference going forward.  

He said some members of the community preferred to use white sand for construction instead of the brown one from borrow pits, hence illegal miners targeting rivers.

 Mr Chombo also wished government could review the fines for illegal mining, adding that the small charge did not deter illegal mines from committing the offence. ends