Vhicho Moyo (23) and Thomas Magumise (28) were arrested for illegal mining activities in the Selwana area. The case was postponed to Thursday, February 2, for a formal bail application. On Thursday, January 19, police were conducting an illegal mining operation in the area when they noticed a group of suspects illegally mining gold-bearing soil on a farm near Selwane village. Officers from the Lulekani police tactically approached the suspects.

One of the alleged miners opened fire on the police who retaliated and fatally wounding a suspect. The police managed to arrest two suspects and in the process they also recovered one firearm, allegedly belonging to the deceased, a 41-year-old Lesotho national. The provincial commissioner of police, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has warned community members to desist from engaging in illegal mining activities as police will not hesitate to deal with those who continue to ignore this warning while attacking police officers.

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Moyo and Magumise were charged with illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act. The deceased suspect was charged with illegal mining, attempted murder, contravention of the Immigration Act, and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. “Charging a suspected criminal is police procedure, regardless of whether he or she is dead or alive,” police said.