One illegal miner arrested for attempted murder in Riverlea following a shootout with members from National Intervention Unit

Specialised Units deployed in Riverlea came under fire from illegal miners during patrols on Monday 14 August at about 17:00.

National Intervention Unit members were patrolling Main Reef Road in Langlaagte when they came across six men entering George Harrison Park, a well-known site for illegal mining, with food parcels. The members followed and when the men approached an open cast mine they ran into the hole.

Shots were fired towards the members from that hole and they retaliated. One illegal miner was arrested while the others managed to get away. The members as well as the suspects were not injured during the shootout.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has been notified of the shooting.The National Specialised Units deployments have since 2 August 2023 resulted in the arrest of over 200 people in Lanlaagte, 187 of those are undocumented persons involved in illegal mining activities.

The police have seized illegal mining equipment, explosives as well as eight firearms and ammunition. The operations will continue until the area has been stabilised.Ends