18 Aug 2025

Government has set up a technical team to address illegal sand mining along Metsimotlhabe River.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Thamaga recently, Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa said the task team would comprise officers from the Ministry of Local Government and Traditonal Affairs, Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police Service, Directorate of Intelligence Services,  Departments of mines, environment as well as  land board.

Mr  Mohwasa said the formation of the task team was a response to a long standing issue of illegal sand mining in  Metsimotlhabe River.

Mr Mohwasa said illegal sand mining  had developed into a cartel involving some members of the public, the business community and illegal immigrants.

However, Mr Mohwasa assured Thamaga residents that goverment would address the matter through the establishment  of technical team.

He said some residents haboured illegal sand miners by renting out their  premises to be used as  brick moulding sites

He urged residents to report perpetrators to relevant authorities to help in combating  illegal sand mining.

“We want order and respect of the law. Illegal sand mining is a serious concern,” he said.

Following the meeting, Mr Mohwasa said the task team would further engage with the community to come up with strategies to address the challenge.

“Those engaged in illegal sand mining must desist from the practice. If they do not stop,  we will act. It is not a threat,” he said.

He said Thamaga and other villages along Metsimotlhabe River should enjoy beauty of the river, hence the need to guard against  illegal  sand mining.  

“We will be an irresponsible government if we are to ignore plea from the people, allow them to live in fear of criminals he said.”

Earlier on, Mogoditshane/Thamaga Council Chairperson and councillor of Thamaga West, Mr Molatedi Selala said the community had complained about illegal sand miners,  thus  welcomed government’s intervention.

He said he was optimistic   that the task team, together with residents would  come up with a permanent solution to end illegal sand mining.

Thamaga/Kumakwane Member of Parliament, Mr Palelo Motaosane  also thanked government for its agility in handling the issue.

“It was beyond me, therefore,  I pleaded with Minister Mohwasa to intervene, I appeal to you to desist from being part of the illegal act as action that will be taken will target all the perpetrators.”

Mr Motaosane said residents  should take responsibility to protect their resource. Unfortunately, MP Motaosane said some  residents connived illegal miners cartel.

“Some of us are partners in the crime as we are working with the illegal sand miners.

Some of you also act as their informants when police engage in raids,” he said. ENDS