The Citizen reports that Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Minister Gwede Mantashe has accused the Lesotho government of “economic sabotage” following the deaths of 31 suspected illegal miners at unused mine in Welkom, in the Free State.

Mantashe said on Friday that the Lesotho government was effectively condoning illegal mining in SA by its citizens by turning a blind eye to the problem. “This incident, more than any other incident, has confirmed our view that this thing of illegal miners is actually economic sabotage [and] war on our economy, and therefore those who died there are almost like soldiers dying in combat… I think it’s a dangerous issue for neighbours to do that to one another,” Mantashe told Newzroom Afrika in an interview. He called on Lesotho to work with the SA government in addressing the issue of illegal miners who crossed into SA and traded in illicit precious metals. The minister noted that the SA government was already working with Lesotho on several matters, including the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2. “Lesotho must confront [this illegal mining issue] and partner with us in mining if they want to. You can’t have Lesotho having some strange relations with illegal miners who are very active in South Africa, and I think that issue is needing attention on its own,” said Mantashe.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thapelo Lekabe at The Citizen
• Lees ook, Mantashe beskuldig Lesotho van ‘ekonomiese sabotasie’ ná myners’ sterf, by Maroela Media

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