Westonaria police arrested 21 undocumented persons suspected of being involved in illegal mining activities in the area, following a shootout earlier this week.

According to West Rand District police spokesperson Captain Solomon Sibiya, the police on Tuesday received a complaint about a shooting at a dumping site in the area.

“All crime prevention and armed response police units were mobilised to the scene. They responded swiftly where, upon arrival at the scene, they found three unknown victims who had been shot and during preliminary police investigation, the wounded victims informed the police that they got shot during a fight with other Basotho foreign nationals.”

He added that the police investigated further and managed to apprehend 21 undocumented foreign nationals near the scene of the crime, suspected to have been involved in the shooting.

“Among the arrested suspects, one suspect was further charged with attempted murder and the unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm when a Vector pistol with one magazine was found in his possession.”

Sibiya stated that the motive for the shooting is being investigated, and that all wounded suspects were later taken to a local hospital.