One illegal miner died in an exchange of fire with the police and other three illegal miners were arrested at Ermelo,Mpumalanga on Thursday,12 December 2024.

Brigadier Donald Mdhluli,Mpumalanga SAPS Spokesperson said the intelligence of the police has assisted members assigned for Operation Vala Umgodi with information that led to the arrest of three male suspects,aged between 22 and 37 on charges in relation to illegal mining activities.

Brigadier Mdhluli clarified that according to report,the three were arrested at Ermelo on Thursday,12 December 2024 after members received information through intelligence regarding illicit mining activities being conducted near a certain country club in Ermelo.

He added that members then proceeded to the said area with a well-coordinated plan in order for the operation to be successful.

He revealed that the arrival of the police in that area was not welcomed by the illegal miners and that led to the exchange of fire which claimed one life of illegal miner and other miners got arrested.

"Members tactically approached the vicinity and some of the alleged illegal miners fled to evade arrest the team got closer.They then observed that some of these individuals were armed.At that moment it is said that other alleged illegal miners began to open fire towards the police.As a result,members are said to have responded accordingly,and in the process one alleged illegal miner was fatally wounded.At the scene where the lifeless body of the said man was found,a firearm was also recovered.

It was during this time when the three male persons were cornered and arrested,"said Brigadier Mdhluli.

He explained that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate(IPID) is conducting its own investigation to find out how the illegal miner was shot and mentioned that the suspects will appear in court in the upcoming week.

"Circumstances surrounding this shooting incident is still under investigation and due to the allegations that SAPS members were involved in the shooting,in Independent Police Investigative Directorate(IPID) will conduct their own investigation.

Meanwhile the three are expected to appear at the Ermelo Magistrate's Court on Tuesday,17 December 2024 facing a charge of illegal mining,"he concluded.

Five decomposed bodies of illegal miners found in Gauteng

On Sunday morning,police has reported that five decomposed bodies found near the old mine by a passerby around Kagiso and Krugersdorp.

According to Brigadier Brenda Muridili,the police were called to a scene this morning,where five decomposed bodies that seem to be of zama zamas were recovered at the old abandoned mine situated at Corner N14 and R28,Krugersdorp and Kagiso.The police were notified by a member of the public who noticed the bodies as he was walking past.The scene where these bodies were recovered is the boundary of Krugersdorp and Kagiso precinct area.

Brigadier Muridili said it appears that the bodies were taken out from underground and dumped at the scene to be discovered.

She added that two inquest cases will be registered in Kagiso(two bodies) and Krugersdorp(three bodies).