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October 10, 2024
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Narend Singh, has welcomed the arrest of two illegal miners at the Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site.
“These arrests are a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to protect South Africa’s irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage,” Singh said on 8 October.
He praised the Green Scorpions for their actions, which led to the arrest of two individuals involved in unlawful mining activities at the heritage site on Monday.
This operation is part of a broader government strategy to combat illegal mining across the country. It aligns with national efforts to tackle the rise in illegal mining, which harms the environment and contributes to various social and economic issues.
The Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, is renowned for its well-preserved succession of volcanic and sedimentary rock formations dating back 3.5 billion years. It was officially declared a protected area on 12 March 2021 under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, prohibiting mining and other harmful activities.
“This World Heritage Site represents not only one of the oldest landscapes on Earth but also one of the most ecologically and scientifically significant. Unlawful mining and other destructive activities in this protected area pose a grave threat to the preservation of this unique site, which holds immense global value. These actions cannot and will not be tolerated,” Singh said.
The investigation also uncovered violations of the National Forests Act, with evidence of destruction and damage to indigenous trees and natural forests.
“These offences not only threaten our natural heritage but undermine our sustainable development goals. Our forests and ecosystems are vital to countless species and are irreplaceable. We must act now to protect them, or risk losing them forever,” Singh added.