Mandla Ndlovu has called on communities to work closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and government authorities to confront the growing challenge of illegal mining in the province.

Ndlovu made the remarks while delivering his reply to the State of the Province Address (SOPA) debate on Thursday, 12 March.

The premier revealed that a number of illegal miners have already been arrested as part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to clamp down on the activity. He warned that illegal mining has far-reaching consequences for communities.

“Criminal activities contribute to social dislocation and instability within our communities, which are among the root causes of crime,” Ndlovu said.

He underlined that to stop illegal mining activities from growing, citizens, law enforcement, and government agencies must work together to address the issue.

Meanwhile, Ndlovu acknowledged concerns raised about alleged nepotism in the appointment of traffic officers within the province. He said the issue has been brought to the attention of the provincial government and assured residents that authorities are committed to addressing it.

The premier also addressed concerns in the health sector, encouraging patients who experience poor treatment at healthcare facilities to escalate their complaints if they are not resolved locally.

According to Ndlovu, patients should report unresolved matters to the Head of Department or the provincial Member of the Executive Council (MEC) responsible for health to ensure accountability within the system.