Police nab 79 in protest-hit Riverlea
Gauteng police on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of 79 suspects in protest-torn Riverlea, south of Johannesburg.
Sixty-nine of the suspects were undocumented persons.
The police operations come after members of the community took to the streets on Monday morning to protest against illegal mining in the area.
Prior to the protest, police discovered five bodies believed to be those of illegal miners killed during a shootout between two rival groups.
Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said the suspects face charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, possession of suspected stolen property and common assault.
“The police have also seized an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, explosives, gas cylinders, gold bearing sand, alcohol from an illegal shebeen, among other things.”
Muridili said police would continue to monitor the area.
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