Three men were arrested and one was shot dead when police investigated alleged illegal mining activities in Ermelo on Thursday.

According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the police and the members of Operation Vala Umgodi received information about illicit mining activities being conducted near a country club in the area.

“They tactically approached the area and some of the alleged illegal miners fled to evade arrest as the team got closer. The members saw that some of these individuals were armed.

“At that moment, some other alleged zama zamas started shooting at the police. They responded accordingly and in the process, one of the illegal miners was shot dead,” Mdhluli said.

He said it was at this time that the three suspects were cornered and arrested.

“The circumstances surrounding this shooting incident are still under investigation and due to the allegations that the SAPS members were involved in the shooting, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate will conduct an investigation,” Mdhluli said.

The trio is expected to appear in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.