SA will no longer tolerate foreigners breaking laws - Modise
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise has warned the government will no longer tolerate foreign nationals who disregard the country's laws.
Modise and other Justice Crime Prevention and Security cluster ministers briefed the media on Friday morning on the progress made in combating organised crime, including illegal mining.
There is growing concern over the increase in illegal mining activities in parts of Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga over the past twelve months.
The illegal miners have been terrorising communities and committing various violent crimes, including murder, rape, and damage to infrastructure through underground gas explosions.
Modise says the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has been given the task of conducting a thorough threat analysis of all activities related to mining, which Modise said the government regards as a threat to national security.
Modise said 4,067 suspects have been arrested on various illegal mining-related charges to date.
She said most of the arrested suspects are foreign nationals from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, DRC, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan and Uganda.
"We are aware that the people who were wreaking havoc in the Gauteng and North West mines come from our neighbouring countries and are trained soldiers.
“That is why, as defence, we have taken to discussing with our counterparts how trained soldiers behave outside their countries and what we might need to agree on doing with those who are seen acting in countries that are not theirs," said Modise.
She defended the government's decision to name countries of foreign nationals who are involved in illegal activities in South Africa.
"First of all, we are South Africans, lives, property, dignity, and safety of South Africa must be a priority to us as ministers of South Africa.
“Therefore, we should take a hard stand against any foreign nationals who come into this country with the sole intention of breaking our laws.
“We are encouraging Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to scrutinise very carefully; we need to sit down and say what is a priority for us," said Modise.
