The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng is seriously concerned about the ongoing illegal mining activities in Gugulethu, Springs, where residents have reportedly taken to digging for gold deposits on municipal land.

Authorities and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy have warned communities against engaging in these unlawful activities due to serious safety hazards and legal consequences.

While we recognise the desperate socio-economic conditions driving people to seek any means of survival, including the hope of finding gold, COSATU Gauteng unequivocally rejects illegal mining as a solution. Digging without proper authorisation, regulation, and safety measures exposes individuals, including children to grave danger, land instability, environmental damage, and potential loss of life. These activities also take place outside the labour and safety frameworks meant to protect workers and surrounding communities.

COSATU Gauteng stands firmly for the rule of law, worker safety, and the dignity of labour. Government at all levels must urgently accelerate sustainable job creation initiatives and support properly regulated small-scale mining where legally permissible, so that vulnerable communities are not pushed into unsafe and unlawful activities. Law enforcement interventions must prioritise public safety while recognising the socio-economic hardships that drive residents into such conditions. Heavy-handed responses without meaningful alternatives will not resolve the underlying crisis of unemployment and poverty.

We further call on municipal and provincial authorities to engage directly with affected communities in Gugulethu and across Gauteng to provide economic support, skills development, and employment opportunities. Community education programmes are also essential to ensure residents understand the dangers and legal implications of illegal mining.

COSATU Gauteng reaffirms its solidarity with all working-class families striving for a dignified livelihood and calls for coordinated, humane, and sustainable interventions that address the root causes of illegal mining rather than merely responding to its symptoms.

Issued by COSATU Gauteng

Chairperson: Amos Vusi Monyela – 079 493 5002

Secretary: Louisah Moepeng Modikwe: 082 297 2659