The operation was conducted by members of the Benoni Flying Squad and the Springs SAPS, who acted on a tip-off that the house was being used by illegal miners.
“The members surrounded the house, while some went inside, and found 11 illegal miners, aged between 30 and 50, busy refining gold,” said Lieut Nomsa Sekele, Benoni cluster spokesperson.
When the men saw the police, they attempted to escape.
Two of the illegal miners ran towards a flying squad member and pointed a gun and knobkerrie at him.
According to Sekele, the officer fired shots in self defence and wounded both the men.
“One suspect was shot in the lower body, and the other in the upper body,” said Sekele.
After the incident, it was discovered that the suspect had been brandishing a toy gun.
The wounded men were taken to Far East Rand Hospital under police guard.
Nine others were arrested and charged with illegal mining, while the two wounded men were charged with illegal mining and attempted murder.
One of the men who was arrested is the owner of the RDP house.
In the house, police found home-made mining equipment and bags of gold dust.
The men are expected to appear at the Daveyton Magistrate Court today.
