According to Lieut Nomsa Sekele, Benoni SAPS spokesperson, police members were conducting regular patrols around closed mine shafts close to New Modder.
They were approaching shaft 11, close to Daveyton Road, when they saw a group of 30 to 35 miners leaving the shaft, carrying bags of gold dust.
“Approximately four of the illegal miners started shooting at the police officers as they approached them,” said Sekele.
She said police members returned fire.
“When the miners saw that they were being overpowered, they ran back into the shaft, leaving their bags of gold dust behind,” said Sekele.
No police members or suspects were injured during the incident.
Also read: Four suspected illegal miners shot dead , Two more illegal miners found dead , Bodies of illegal miners found near New Modder Road
