Residents of Pumula suburb have called on the police, the City Council, and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to urgently curb illegal sand mining and rehabilitate degraded land, citing the lethal risks posed by abandoned pits.
The appeal was made during a community leaders’ meeting at Isilwane Youth Centre on Wednesday. The meeting followed a tragic month in which three children drowned in water-filled trenches left behind by sand poachers. During the rainy season, these deep, unsecured excavations become “death traps” for local youth.
Community members urged authorities to enforce safety measures, such as fencing off hazardous sites and requiring miners to install warning signs.
“We need these abandoned pits fenced immediately,” said one resident.
“Those extracting sand must be held accountable and compelled to clearly signpost their sites, whether they are currently operating or have already moved on.”
To deter illegal activity, the community proposed stricter penalties, including the confiscation of vehicles used for poaching.
“Stiff penalties and the impounding of trucks are the only way to make real headway,” the resident added.
“The City Council must ensure our bylaws have teeth.”
Frustration was also directed at law enforcement, with leaders accusing police of turning a blind eye to illegal operators.
“We need to address why police allow these ‘wrong turn’ trucks to move freely,” a community leader said.
“Despite numerous roadblocks across the city, these unlicensed vehicles are rarely impounded. If you go to Drill Hall, you’ll see dozens of impounded kombis, but not these trucks. This is the reality we are facing.”
In the interim, some residents suggested community-led interventions, including deploying volunteers to monitor the pits and keep children away from the danger zones.
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