Illegal Mining
Murder of Madlanga Commission witness sparks security concerns
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Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D, was gunned down outside his home in Brakpan on Friday night after testifying about alleged police torture. The killing has prompted a national manhunt and vows from President Cyril Ramaphosa to strengthen whistleblower protections. Authorities are investigating possible links to his testimony or anti-illegal mining efforts.
Despite massive investments, around 8,000 illegal gold miners operate daily in French Guiana across 591 sites, having extracted 6 tons of gold in 2025. The prefecture released a report on December 4 highlighting the traffic's resilience, bolstered by rising gold prices and neighboring Suriname's inaction. Indigenous populations endure deforestation and river pollution.
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Komodo district head Marthinus Maryanto Irwandi has assured that Sebayur Island is free from illegal mining activities. The statement addresses recent rumors of mining operations. Authorities inspected the site and confirmed it as private land owned by locals.