DMR shuts Mpumalanga office as part of anti-corruption probe

SOUTH Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has shut its Mpumalanga regional office until further notice in order it can investigate corruption claims, the government said in an announcement on August 31.

“The closure of the office will allow the investigation team set up by minister Gwede Mantashe in July an opportunity to do its work in the region and provide feedback to the minister in due course,” the DMR said. “As such, all administrative processes related to that office will be handled from the head office until further notice,” it added.

The online application system SAMRAD will also be closed for Mpumalanga applications. Applications for renewals and graduation of prospecting rights to mining rights should be submitted manually to the DMR’s head office in Pretoria.

“The closure follows feedback received from clients on the challenges they face at that office, relating mainly to backlogs in the issuing of licenses and allegations of corruption,” the DMR said.