The Chair of Chairs in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Lloyd Phillips, held a multi-stakeholder forum at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein to find solutions to issues related to unrehabilitated mine dumps in Riverlea and surrounding areas that have given rise to illegal mining and social ills for its residents. The social ills include high levels of crime caused by illegal mining activity and health issues owing to the excessive dust emerging from the disused mining shafts. These issues require a multidisciplinary approach to finally get them resolved. 

Invited stakeholders included the Office of the Public Protector, the City’s Public Safety Department, the South African Police Service, the Riverlea Mining Forum, the Office of Joburg Ombudsman, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Johannesburg Property Company and Sasol among others.

Human Rights Commissioner Harriet Buga said some of their mandate is to monitor these issues until the policy for small scale mining comes into effect.

“We have received issues relating to dust, shootings etc. happening at the mining dumps that not only bring environmental issues but also health issues and we will respond in due course.”

The Public Protector’s office asked to be kept abreast in these issues. It appreciated the different spheres of government working together to resolve illegal mining and committed its support to the City.

The Office of the Ombudsman launched an own instance investigation into various complaints lodged by the community of Riverlea and the engagement served as a follow-up.

“Among other things that happen in communities on illegal mining is an opportunity for all city departments and entities to contribute to such conversations. Gold was first discovered in Riverlea, in Johannesburg. Scores of tourist were visiting Riverlea. That boosted this community economically. I believe if the City can go back, it can recreate something in the area and reposition the City,” said Ombudsman Advocate S’duduzo Gumede.

He further said the City needs to collaborate with higher learning institutions to imagine the future and change the narrative as people who are mining illegally were once mine employees and know the architecture underground.

“I would like to propose to the chair to have further discussions with all stakeholders and start a mining indaba hosted by the City. This is a project where we need to join hands to move forward to raise the desired outcome that we envisage and solicit solutions,” said Advocate Gumede. 

“The City will continue to engage all the key stakeholders, kept them abreast of the processes to ensure a sustainable outcome to the benefit of residents,” said Cllr Phillips.

The Riverlea Mining Forum was awarded a Recognition certificate by the Chair of Chairs.