Suspected illegal miner arrested in shootout with police
A suspected illegal miner was arrested in Riverlea, south of Johannesburg, following a shootout with members of the police's National Intervention Unit.
The police special unit was deployed to the area after residents took to the streets to protest over the violence between rival gangs linked to illegal mining in the area.
Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said the team came under fire during routine patrols on Monday afternoon.
"National Intervention Unit members were patrolling Main Reef Road in Langlaagte when they came across six men entering George Harrison Park, a well-known site for illegal mining, with food parcels.
"The members followed and when the men approached an open cast mine they ran in to the hole."
Muridili said shots were fired at police and they retaliated.
"One illegal miner was arrested while the others managed to get away. The members as well as the suspects were not injured during the shootout."
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has been notified of the shooting.
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