- Mpumalanga Government concerned about heavily armed illegal miners.
- Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains and Pilgrim’s Rest are hotspots of illegal mining.
- Agriculture Department establishes a Joint Task Force against illegal mining.
Date: 26 August 2026
Release: immediate
The Democratic Alliance backs the action taken by the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture to establish a Joint Task Force to confront the escalating illegal mining crisis engulfing the historic town of Pilgrim’s Rest and the Makhonjwa Mountains in Barberton. This follows continuous calls and pressure by the DA for decisive action against illegal miners.
Though the DA welcomes the establishment of the Joint Task Force against illegal mining in Mpumalanga, we also call on the Provincial Government to implement sustainable solutions to address the underlying causes of illegal mining in the province. These include job creation and holding accountable those who exploit vulnerable communities for illegal mining activities.
Illegal mining in Mpumalanga, especially in Barberton, Pilgrim’s Rest, Delmas, and eMalahleni, has evolved into organised criminal activity that has left farming, rural, and ordinary citizens vulnerable to zama-zamas. The province currently faces the following types of illegal mining: illegal sand mining, zama-zama style gold mining operations, and illegal coal mining. These activities are frequently conducted by heavily armed illegal miners using heavy machinery, often in full view of people, with little fear of consequence.
In a response to legislature questions, Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs MEC, Brenda Moeketsi, reported that her department has established a Joint Task Force which will actively participate to address illicit mining and its associated environmental impacts. She said the Task Force conducts coordinated site inspections and enforcement operations in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Water and Sanitation, and private security service providers.
The department also reported that the Task Force continues to face significant challenges as illegal miners are well-resourced and possess sophisticated equipment and dangerous weapons.
We will continue to monitor progress and being the voice of vulnerable communities.