Two suspected illegal miners killed in police shootout
Police in Gauteng say two suspected illegal miners were killed in a shootout in Roodepoort on Tuesday.
Gauteng police spokesperson Tintswalo Sibeko says officers recovered three unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
"The suspects allegedly opened fire on the police, resulting in a shootout. During the exchange of shots, two suspected illegal miners were fatally wounded," she said.
"No police officers or security personnel were injured during the incident."
Police recovered three unlicensed firearms, an AK-47 rifle, a .22 calibre rifle, and a 9mm Uzi, as well as 126 rounds of ammunition of various calibres.
Since the beginning of July 2026, police in Gauteng have recovered 388 unlicensed firearms and 6,650 rounds of ammunition.
The recovered firearms include 9mm pistols, revolvers, AK-47 rifles, and shotguns.
"These firearms were recovered during crime prevention operations, stop-and-search, patrols, vehicle check points, Operation Shanela, and Operation Prosper," she added.
The operations aimed at dismantling illegal mining activities have so far resulted in the deaths of two SANDF soldiers in Gauteng.
