MEDIA STATEMENT: MINERAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON SADDENED BY DEATHS AFTER GAS LEAK IN BOKSBURG

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Sahlulele Luzipo, is saddened to learn from media reports about the death of at least 17 people allegedly due to a gas leak in an informal settlement in Boksburg, Gauteng. Mr Luzipo has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wishes all those hospitalised after the event a speedy recovery.

The Chairperson also noted with grave concern the link between this horrific accident and illegal mining in the area, as it is reported that gas cylinders were used to process illegally mined ore. Mr Luzipo said: “It is worrisome that illegal mining is always associated with peripheral acts of criminality that leads to brutal loss of lives.”

Mr Luzipo reiterated the committee’s long-held position that illegal mining should be seen as a threat to national security due to the complex nature of the criminal acts associated with it, such as these deaths, rape, terror on mining communities, sock theft, shoot outs, damage to national infrastructure and social amenities, human trafficking and the illicit trade of contraband goods.

“Although it looks like we are dealing with something that lacks shape and form as a country, we still cannot surrender helplessly to these acts of criminality. Law and order must reign supreme,” said Mr Luzipo.

Source: Parliament of South Africa