DA calls for thorough probe into illegal sand mining in Limpopo

LIMPOPO

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has called on the Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Portfolio Committee to investigate the growing number of illegal sand mining operations in the province.

The party is also urging the committee to question the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) about efforts to bypass laws regulating sand mining applications, particularly those related to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).

Jacques Smalle, DA Limpopo Provincial Spokesperson for LEDET, said they demand the investigation because they are concerned about the proliferation of illegal sand mining from riverbeds across Limpopo has severe environmental, ecological, and social consequences.

“The act impacts rural communities and the agricultural sector by disrupting the natural flow of rivers, leading to reduced water availability for human consumption and farm irrigation, particularly during dry seasons. This places an additional burden on farmers who depend on river water to sustain their crops,” explained Smalle.

He informed that the party has raised concerns about attempts to bypass the provisions of both the Mining and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

“To evade stricter regulations, multiple applications for adjacent pockets of land, each under 5 hectares, are being submitted, often under a single entity, multiple entities, or individuals linked to one another. Furthermore, the same Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) often oversees these multiple applications, raising serious ethical concerns about their professional integrity,” he said.

Smalle indicated that the DA in Limpopo strongly condemns these actions and calls for strict enforcement of the law to protect the province’s natural resources, communities, and agricultural sector.

“The party is urging LEDET, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), and law enforcement agencies to take decisive action against those involved in these unlawful practices. Where approvals have been legitimately granted, we need to ensure that such sand mining operations are properly monitored and that rehabilitation occurs,” he said.

Smalle said the DA will request details of all sand mining EIA applications submitted and their outcomes.

“The party will continue to highlight this issue and use all available means to ensure that these illegal practices are brought to an immediate end,” concluded Smalle.