Illegal mining ‘kingpin’ killed in shootout with police
Gauteng police shot and killed a suspected illegal mining kingpin in Soweto over the weekend.
The deceased, who is a Lesotho national, has been linked to at least 29 illegal mining-related murders in Florida and Nomzamo Park tavern in Soweto, where 16 people were killed in July 2022.
READ: 14 killed in mass shooting at Soweto tavern
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the suspect was killed after pointing a firearm at police and resisting arrest.
"Last week, the multidisciplinary teams in various provinces also registered notable successes, including a tracing operation in which 62 suspects in Limpopo and nine suspects in the Northern Cape were arrested for their role in illegal mining activities.
"In April, the same team seized R1 million in cash and a number of illicit mining equipment such as explosive devices and digging equipment was seized from a house used by illegal miners in Carletonville.
"Operation Vala Umgodi teams have arrested more than 4774 suspects for a number of crimes, including illicit mining activities," she said.
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