CAPE TOWN – Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu says the province’s location is both a blessing and a curse.

He says the province’s borders make it a hot spot for illegal immigration, illegal mining and crime.

On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the province as part of the seventh administration’s new agenda to discuss each province’s vision for growth and development.

This is the President’s third provincial visit after Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.

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Welcoming the President to the province, Ndlovu said while Mpumalanga’s proximity to local and regional ports provides a competitive advantage, sharing borders with neighboring countries also presents challenges.

“We bear the brunt of illegal and undocumented immigrants. This has its own negative consequences, including cross-border crime as well as an increase in community crime in general. »

Ndlovu says illegal mining, particularly in Sabie, Barberton and Pilgrim’s Rest, is giving rise to more informal settlements.

“Undocumented schoolchildren are burning to the ground our health and education facilities as well as our social infrastructure like water, sanitation and roads. »

Ndlovu says civil unrest in Mozambique since the elections is also putting additional pressure on the province.