UPDATE: [8.30am, 16 August]
EVANDER – Two of the men apprehended in the shootout between the police and a group of armed men who were delivering food to illegal miners at the shaft 5 of Evander Gold Mines, died from gunshot wounds.
A third man is in hospital being treated for a gunshot wound and two others have sustained minor injuries.
The police seized six firearms.
EVANDER – Various units of the police clamped down on illegal miners at 5 Shaft of Evander Gold Mines tonight.
According to Sgt Sibusiso Mbuli the police were working on information that there are about 300 illegal miners (zama-zamas) underground at this closed down shaft and that there are heavily armed people going to the mine daily to deliver food to the miners.
The police’s National Intervention Unit intercepted the food deliveries tonight and was met with gunfire.
Sgt Mbuli said thus far six suspects have been apprehended of which two are injured.
The injured suspects were taken to Evander Hospital.
The police also confiscated four pistols.
The operation is still active but the road past Evander is not affected.
