The ATM wants security agencies to account for Operation Vala Umgodi’s effectiveness, resources and intelligence coordination, saying illegal mining has evolved into an organised criminal enterprise.
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called on Parliament to urgently investigate whether Operation Vala Umgodi is achieving its objectives, following the deaths of two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members during an anti-illegal mining operation.
The party says illegal mining has escalated beyond criminal activity into a national security threat, with syndicates becoming increasingly organised and capable of confronting law enforcement agencies.
In a letter to the Portfolio Committee on Police, ATM Parliamentary Leader Vuyo Zungula requested an urgent parliamentary engagement on illegal mining, the effectiveness of Operation Vala Umgodi and the growing threat posed by organised illegal mining syndicates.
“Illegal mining has evolved far beyond isolated criminal activity. It has become a sophisticated and highly organised criminal enterprise involving heavily armed syndicates, illicit financial networks, cross-border criminal organisations, environmental destruction, infrastructure damage, tax evasion, corruption and the exploitation of vulnerable communities,” Zungula said.
