Criminal onslaught a threat to gold mining
Speaking to executives in SA’s gold sector, the overwhelming sense about the criminal onslaught against their operations and activities on and around their mines is one of frustration.
While executives tread a very cautious line in criticising the police, which they cannot afford to alienate as they try to curtail these activities, their anxiety at the lack of any tangible progress to date is abundantly clear.
They speak of old or abandoned mines overrun by armed gangs, some posting gunmen at high vantage points to protect their members, with absolutely no sign of policing or attempts to bring law and order.
One executive spoke of killings as gangs fight for turf; another of areas on the edge of Johannesburg where police dare not venture for fear of being killed. There are brazen attacks on mine properties as gangs muscle in on gold smelters and safes.
At least one mine security official was shot dead in a gun battle with a gang armed with AK-47s and other automatic rifles normally in the possession of police and the army, and most probably stolen.
It’s a narrative that defies belief.
If foreign investors were already skittish about putting money into SA, where Eskom is a disaster waiting to happen for the entire economy, regulatory uncertainty prevails and labour is fractious, then this level of crime will surely be the death knell, certainly for new gold investments.
Who in their right mind would invest in a gold mine in SA if the operation will be inundated with criminals amid questionable responses by the police and judiciary? They stand accused of giving perpetrators lenient fines or warnings and sending them on their way.
One executive suggested that since the Marikana massacre of 34 people by police in 2012, the police are almost in a state of paralysis when it comes to dealing with large-scale crime events such as invasions of old mines by thousands of illegal miners. The police are afraid of repeating that tragedy.
BEYOND CONCERNED
There’s a word pouring out of parliament that conjures up an image of a tut-tutting maiden aunt exasperated at the ways of today’s youth.
The word is concerned. It features heavily in subject lines of e-mails from parliamentary portfolio committees tapping those who err on the wrist.
But it’s misuse is infuriating. Concern is what you feel as a storm blows up when there’s washing on the line or when your cellphone battery runs flat.
It cannot possibly pertain in any sensible way to corruption, malfeasance, violence, rape and the government’s failure to govern effectively or treat the people and their money with respect.
We are way beyond concern about the state of governance. Stories of emigration abound as our rulers dither about society’s problems, being too distracted by ANC faction politics.
Al-Jazeera’s interview with former speaker Baleka Mbete shows people in the ANC paralysed, unable to speak out against the collective and offer practical suggestions or criticism. They watch passively as the country slides into a self-made abyss.
They seem to think voters are comforted on hearing the government is “concerned” about the dire state of things like dysfunctional state enterprises and rampant corruption.