Mpumalanga illegal mining crisis: 'We're carrying brunt of undocumented immigrants' - Premier

CAPE TOWN - Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu says the province’s location is both a blessing and a curse.

He says the province’s borders make it a hotspot for illegal migration, unlawful mining and crime. 

On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the province as part of the seventh administration's new programme to discuss each province’s vision for growth and development.

This is the president’s third provincial visit after Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa says Mpumalanga must rise above challenges of unemployment, stagnant growth

Welcoming the president to the province, Ndlovu said while Mpumalanga’s proximity to local and regional ports is a competitive advantage – sharing borders with neighbouring countries also presents challenges. 

“We are carrying the brunt of illegal and undocumented immigrants. This has its own negative consequences including cross-border crime as well as increased community crime in general.”

Ndlovu says illegal mining especially in Sabie, Barberton and Pilgrim’s Rest is giving rise to more informal settlements. 

“Undocumented school children overburn our health and education facilities as well as our social infrastructure like water, sanitation and roads.”

Ndlovu says the civil unrest in Mozambique since its elections is also putting added strain on the province.