North West mine: 'Criminal gangs running the show'

RESEARCH associate at the University of Johannesburg, Calvin Rafadi, has warned that criminal gangs continue to fester in the mining sector in North West, calling for decisive intervention to save local communities.

- JONISAY! MAROMO [e-mail]

Yesterday, JOL reported that police in the North West have launched an investigation into the shooting and discovery of the bodies of five men at an opencast mine in Tlhatlaganyane village, which falls under the Sun City police station's jurisdiction.

Police said a multidisciplinary team is gathering information and evidence that will not only help unravel the cause of the murders, but also help identify the perpetrators.

The area is well-known for illegal mining activities and has been previously

visited by three national parliamentary portfolio committees on police, home affairs, and minerals following complaints from the local tribal authority.

However, police stated that it cannot be speculated or ruled out at this stage that the killings are linked to rival mining operations.