PARKTOWN – One suspected illegal miner was fatally wounded during a shootout with police while eleven were arrested and three illegal firearms loaded with magazines were recovered in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, on Wednesday 09 February 2022 at approximately 13h20.

Police officers in Boksburg received a complaint of a person that has been shot in an open field in Boksburg. As the police arrived, they saw a group of suspected illegal miners. More police officers from Boksburg North, Ekurhuleni Trio Task Team, Highway Patrol and Private Security Companies were summoned.

As the police were approaching, the armed group started shooting at the police and a shootout ensued.  Eleven suspects were apprehended with the assistance of a police chopper and one suspect was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries.

Police recovered three unlicensed firearms and more than 70 rounds of ammunition.

The arrested suspects will be charged with possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of unlicensed ammunition, murder and attempted murder. They are expected to appear at Boksburg Magistrates Court in due course.

Source: South African Police Service