36 people have been arrested following a gun fight between alleged illegal miners in Stilfontein. Upon their arrest, police confiscated three rifles that were used on the scene.
Police opened fire to one of the suspect after he refused to drop his firearm.
The District Illicit mining task team and local police were the first respondents on the scene, near the Stilfontein shaft, where a fight had broken out between more than 100 illegal miners. The warring rivals are believed to be Lesotho nationals fighting to assert dominance over each other for illegal mining turf.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said: “The waring rivals are believed to be Lesotho nationals over illegal mining turf. The Hawks serious crime investigating team was summoned to the scene. The corroborated efforts between officials resulted in the 36 suspects being arrested.”
