By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has called on the government to establish a specialised unit to fight illegal mining across the country.
“There is a need to increase law enforcement presence and strengthen crime prevention strategies, including enhancing crime intelligence to prevent violent crimes. Government must establish a dedicated national security unit to combat illegal mining threatening revenue and the lives of our people, “said Bhengu-Motsiri.
Bhengu-Motsiri said they want government to deploy more resources in the areas affected by illegal mining activities.
She said the issue of illegal mining was untenable and the Security Cluster must crack down on them.
Bhengu-Motsiri also said there will be a robust process to select candidates to go to Parliament and provincial legislatures.
She said the candidates must not have a criminal record, must not face charges from the National Prosecuting Authority or have fallen foul of the ANC and are facing disciplinary charges.
Bhengu-Motsiri said this process will culminate in provincial list conferences and the national list conference.
He said while the process bars candidates who are facing charges in court, it excludes those who are privately prosecuted.
This is meant to protect the ANC against those abusing private prosecution.
Former president Jacob Zuma filed a private prosecution case against his successor Cyril Ramaphosa on the eve of the ANC conference in December.
The case was thrown out by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg a few months ago.
Zuma had accused Ramaphosa of failing to act against NPA senior prosecutor Billy Downer SC for allegedly leaking his medical records.
But the High Court rejected Zuma’s application.
Bhengu-Motsiri said ANC candidates facing private prosecution will not be barred from standing as candidates either in the national legislature or provincial legislatures.