Two Crystal Park SAPS officers were involved in a shootout with five alleged illegal miners last night (February 26) on the N12 near the Putfontein off-ramp towards Benoni.
The incident occurred at around 8pm.
Ekurhuleni Central Cluster spokesperson, Capt Nomsa Sekele said the two officers were on duty when the incident occurred.
“The officers were driving to Benoni when they came across five armed men towards the exit of the Putfontein off-ramp,” said Sekele.
“Suddenly the men started shooting at the police van. The officer stopped their vehicle and then fired shots in self-defence while calling for back-up.”
The five men fled the scene.
No injuries were reported.
READ: One wounded in Golden Drive shoot-out
A case of attempted murder was opened at the Benoni SAPS.
In a separate incident, an unknown man was found near the N12 informal settlement a few hours after the shootout between the police and alleged illegal miners.
The man was found with a gun wound on his upper body.
Sekele said police are investigating whether the man was one of the suspects in the shooting.
A case of murder was opened at the Crystal Park Police Station.
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