Africa-Press – Botswana. 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.
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