Johannesburg – Six suspected illegal miners were on Tuesday shot, wounded, disarmed, and arrested by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Rapid Tactical Response Unit Officers in the Primrose area.
EMPD said one other male suspect was arrested when he attempted to flee the scene.
Narrating events leading to the shootout and arrests, EMPD said in conjunction with the South African Police Service Illegal Mining Unit, they conducted a swoop on an illegal mining operation in the Primrose area.
“The law enforcers proceeded to a scrapyard on the corner of Main Reef and Johann Rissik Roads, and upon their arrival, the suspects noticed the officers and opened fire towards them,” EMPD said.
“During the shootout, the highly skilled officers shot six suspects, disarming them of their weapons and arrested one other male suspect who attempted to flee the scene.”
EMPD said the wounded suspects, who are between the ages of 27 and 33 years, were transported to a hospital for medical attention.
The weapons recovered from the suspects included:
- a brown double-barrel shotgun with intact serial numbers,
- a black 12-gauge shotgun with intact serial numbers,
- a silver 9mm Luger with intact serial numbers,
- a silver special 38 – 9mm revolver with intact serial numbers, and
- a black Taurus 9mm handgun with defaced serial numbers,
- as well as an undisclosed number of live ammunition.
The suspects face several charges including possession of illegal firearms, live ammunition, and attempted murder.
The EMPD said the suspects are expected to appear at the Germiston Magistrate’s Court soon.
