Police in Barberton are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder after a man’s body with a gunshot wound was discovered near Agnes Mine on February 13.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, SAPS received a report from a local hospital about two injured men who alleged they had been assaulted and shot near the mine.

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“Preliminary investigations indicate that the injured men had gone to the mountain with a group of friends intending to mine gold illegally. Upon reaching an area near the mine, a confrontation allegedly occurred between the group and some Lesotho nationals. During the altercation, one person was fatally shot, while others were assaulted and sustained gunshot wounds,” she said.

Ndubane added that police went to the hospital to interview the injured victims, but one of the men had fled the facility without receiving treatment.

Members of the Public Order Policing Unit assisted police at Agnes Mine, where the body of the deceased was recovered and later transported to Forensic Pathology Services for examination.

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“While at the scene, police identified several nearby shacks and conducted a raid, but found no occupants. Officers later left the area. A few kilometres away, police noticed that some shacks were on fire. Firefighters were called and extinguished the blaze,” Ndubane said.

Cases of murder and attempted murder have been opened and investigations are ongoing.

Police are appealing to anyone with information that may assist the investigation or help locate the deceased’s family to contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Vusi Maphanga on 082 303 9704 or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.

Information can also be submitted anonymously via the My SAPS app.