‘Strike a balance between the right to life and the police’s duty’

Mineral and petroleum resources portfolio committee chair Mikateko Mahlaule has called on roleplayers involved in Operation Vala Umgodi to approach the situation in Stilfontein, North West, with care and caution.

Mahlaule emphasised the need to strike a balance between two constitutional imperatives: the right to life and the police’s duty to prevent, combat and investigate crime.

A media statement issued by parliament on behalf of Mahlaule highlighted the challenges posed by illegal mining.

“The country has been grappling with illegal mining for many years and mining communities bore the brunt of peripheral criminal activities such as rape, robbery and damage to public infrastructure, among other things. However, since the inception of Operation Vala Umgodi in December last year, there have been remarkable strides in fighting the problem,” it said.

The situation in Stilfontein became critical when more than 4,000 illegal miners were believed to be underground in a local mine.

The miners recently sent a letter, written in isiZulu, requesting urgent medical assistance, including ARV medication.