An unidentified man, suspected to be an illegal miner, was found dead on a makeshift stretcher along the R539 near Mashoboto Hill in Schoemanskloof.

The body was found in the early morning hours of September 30.

The discovery comes amid reports of a shoot-out near the mountain yesterday (September 29), which prompted authorities to close the busy route over fears that motorists could be caught in the crossfire between alleged rival illegal mining groups.

ALSO READ: VIDEO: Alleged illegal miners open fire on N4 in Schoemanskloof

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the circumstances surrounding the man’s death remain under investigation.

This is a developing story. Lowvelder will keep its readers updated as more information becomes available.