Just in: Four illegal miners fatally shot in Boksburg, 17 arrested
In an ensuing shoot-out between the police and illegal miners, four of the miners were fatally shot and 15 others arrested at an open field in Boksburg policing area this morning.
According to Colonel Lungelo Dlamini from the Provincial SAPS, the shooting started in the early hours of Thursday, November 23 after the members of Ekurhuleni Metro Police and SAPS reacted to information about explosives which were being brought to the area for illegal mining.
“When police confronted the illegal miners, they were shot at and they returned fire.
“During the ensuing gun battle, four miners were allegedly shot and killed and 17 others were arrested.
“The arrested suspects will be charged with cases of attempted murder, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition as well as illegal immigration as they are suspected to be Lesotho nationals.
“An inquest will be held into the death of the illegal miners.”
He said a member of Ekurhuleni Metro police was also slightly wounded in the face and has been taken to the local hospital for treatment.
“Police will be patrolling the area whilst they are still searching for other firearms suspected to have been thrown into the water stream due the shooting incident.”
Russel Meiring, ER24 spokesperson, confirmed paramedics were on the scene, at the corners of 40th and Barry Marais Road in Dawn Park, this morning after 6am.
“ER24 paramedics, along with other services, arrived on the scene and were lead deep into the veld where one of the patients were found,” said Meiring.
“Upon assessment, paramedics found that one man had sustained numerous gunshot wounds and showed no signs of life. Unfortunate, nothing could be done for the man and he was declared dead. A short time later, paramedics were lead further into the held where several other patients were found.
“Assessments showed that three men had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
“Two other men were assessed. One was found to be in a critical condition while the second had had sustained only moderate injuries. Paramedics treated the men and provided the critically injured with advanced life support interventions.
“Once treated, the patients were transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.”
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