By Thapelo Molefe
Johannesburg Transport MMC Kenny Kunene has blamed Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and his department for failing to act against illegal mining and abandoned mining sites, saying municipalities are being forced to deal with the resulting damage to roads and other infrastructure.
Kunene made the remarks on Monday during an oversight visit to infrastructure sites in Roodepoort, Witpoortjie and Selby that have been severely affected by illegal mining activities.
The oversight included visits to collapsed roads, sinkholes and illegal mining access points where Joburg Roads Agency officials, JMPD officers, SAPS members and private security personnel accompanied the MMC.
At one of the illegal mining sites in Roodepoort, Kunene and officials inspected holes allegedly being used by zama-zamas to access underground tunnels. During the operation, officials cut electricity cables and water pipes believed to be supplying illegal mining operations underground.
Bags containing soil suspected to contain
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