Eight arrested after shoot-out near mines
Eight men were arrested after a shoot-out between suspected illegal miners and a CMS reaction officer on Tuesday, January 26.
The exchange of fire ensued after a CMS employee was attacked by suspected illegal miners near Pioneer Drive, in Kleinfontein.
According to the Benoni SAPS spokesperson, Lieut Nomsa Sekele, the CMS reaction officer was on his own near the mines, at around 3pm, when he spotted three men who were carrying bags with gold dust.
“One of them was carrying a firearm and as soon as he saw the CMS employee, he started shooting,” said Sekele.
“The CMS guard took cover and shot back, after which a large number of other illegal miners arrived.
“He called SAPS for back-up and as soon as they arrived, the suspects scattered into the fields.”
Sekele said eight men were eventually arrested, with the rest fleeing to nearby shafts and Danie Taljaard Park.
She added that no firearms were recovered from the arrestees.
A case of attempted murder was opened against one of the suspected illegal miners, though he was not among the eight men who were arrested.
The men were charged with being in the country illegally and were expected to appear in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court soon.
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