According to the Carletonville police, the first incident happened on the night of Thursday, 1 July. A large group of zama-zamas arrived at the MME substation near Doornfontein at about 21:00, intending to steal copper cable. They shot at the mine security guards, who managed to chase them away. At about the same time the next evening, the security guards were patrolling in the area when they came across a large group of zama-zamas blocking the road. Although the guards in an armoured vehicle managed to flee, their colleagues who accompanied them in a Mahindra bakkie were not as lucky. The zama-zamas ambushed the bakkie and the guards had to jump out. They ran away while several shots were fired at them. One of the guards was shot in the legs. Their colleagues later picked them up. The illegal miners set the bakkie alight before fleeing. The police are investigating two cases of attempted murder following the incidents. 
