EVANDER – One man was shot dead at Winkelhaak Mine on Sunday, 20 July.
The police found the unknown man lying in a pool of blood.
Another shooting was reported last week at the same mine where Mr Sanele Mokane (18), a Lesotho national, died and five others were wounded and taken to hospital.
The provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thulani Ntobela, is concerned about the shooting incidents that continue at these mines near Evander.
According to the police the shootings occur as a result of illegal mining.
The police had an operation on 15 July and arrested 104 illegal miners who are apparently from Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
They appeared in the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 16 July and again on Monday, 21 July and Tuesday, 22 July.
Six people were wounded and taken to hospital on Saturday 19 July.
It is alleged that the victims were shot by a rival group after a squabble broke out while they were involved in illegal mining.
Lt Gen Ntobela strongly condemned this unnecessary loss of life occurring as a result of illegal mining.
“We will continue with operations to stop these illegal mining activities.
“We are appealing to the neighbouring communities to assist us in identifying these illegal miners so we can put them behind bars,” said Lt Gen Ntobela.
