A man described as an illegal miner was killed, and his accomplice injured, during a shoot-out with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department’s (EMPD) Intervention Unit officers this morning.

Boksburg Advertiser reports the two were part of a heavily armed gang engaged in illegal mining activities at an abandoned mine near the Marathon informal settlement in Primrose, Germiston.

According to EMPD liaison officer Thabiso Makgato, officers conducting an early morning operation in the area were confronted by the armed gang.

Upon noticing the officers, the group of illegal miners opened fire using a rifle and handguns. Officers returned fire, killing one and injuring another, who is now under police guard at Tambo Memorial Hospital.

One suspect armed with a rifle fled the scene. However, four accomplices were apprehended and detained at the Primrose Police Station, where their unlicensed firearms were seized. Investigations are ongoing.

In a similar incident on January 7, police arrested five illegal miners after a shoot-out in the Dawn Park area in Boksburg.

Law enforcement responded to complaints of a gang terrorising the Lindelani informal settlement. When officers arrived, the miners opened fire, leading to another exchange of gunfire. Five suspects were arrested, and officers recovered illegal firearms and live ammunition.

Acting Chief of Police Julius Mkhwanazi at the time emphasised that the metro would not allow a repeat of the Stilfontein case in the City of Ekurhuleni.

“Minimal force will be used to tackle these criminal syndicates because they are armed and dangerous,” said Mkhwanazi.