Africa-Press – Botswana. Government has set up a technical team aimed at addressing illegal sand mining, which causes land and environmental degradation along Metsimotlhabe River.
The technical consisting officers from the Ministry of Local Government and Traditonal Affairs, Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police Service, Directorate of Intelligent Services and the Department of Mines and Environment, and the Landboard, was formed as a response to some longstanding concerns by the community of Thamaga and villages alongside Metsimotlhabe River about illegal sand mining.
In a recent kgotla meeting in Thamaga, Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa assured residents that the situation would be brought under control, warning members of the community,who could be involved in this illegal act, that they would not escape the long arms of the law.
He said illegal sand mining appeared to have been made rampant by a cartel of some members of the public, the business community and some illegal immigrants involved in brick moulding businesses.
He said it was unfortunate that some residents had rented out their premises to be used as bricks moulding yards by illegal sand miners.
He cautioned that the war against illegal sand miners, which appeared to be network of criminal masterminds, would only be successful with the involvement and support from the community.
“Stand out of the way, report perpetrators and help to bring them to justice,” he pleaded with the community.
“We want order and respect of the law. Illegal sand mining is a serious concern. This should come to a stop. Those engaged in illegal sand mining must desist from the practice. If they don’t, we shall act. It is not a threat, this is an unlawful act,” he said.
Mr Mohwasa said the task team would engage with the community to come up with strategies to address the challenge.
The minister emphasised that government would not tolerate a situation where the rights of the people were not respected.
He said the community of Thamaga and villages alongside the concerned river had the right to enjoy the natural resource in their locality, and it would therefore be unfortunate for them to turn into fearful observers while criminals illegally mined sand and caused havoc in their area.
“We will be an irresponsible government if we are to ignore plea from the people, leave them to live in fear of thieves and be imprisoned in their own homesteads,” he said.
Mogoditshane/Thamaga District Council chairperson, Mr Molatedi Selala, also councillor of Thamaga West, pointed that the community had a long standing battle with illegal sand miners and was pleased that their concern would be addressed.
Mr Selala said the issue was widespread and had compelled the community to act. He was hopeful that the task team, with the help of the community, would come up with a solution to the challenge.
Thamaga/Kumakwane Member of Parliament, Mr Palelo Motaosane was equally grateful for the way Minister Mohwasa had responded to the challenge.
“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,” he said.
Mr Motaosane said the community was capable of acting and protecting their valuable resource, but had however resorted to following the legal route and allowing law enforcement agencies to lead the way.
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