Eight suspects were arrested with one of them sustaining serious injuries following an exchange of gunfire with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Main Reef Road and Shamrock Street in Primrose, Germiston.

The group of men, allegedly illegal miners, were linked with the robbery of motorists at the M1 Crown Interchange in Johannesburg on February 20.

The JMPD acting chief of police, Angie Mokasi, has commended the valiant efforts shown by the officers in tackling this scourge of illegal mining and ensuring the safety of residents.

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The JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla, said their response unit followed up on a complaint of armed illegal miners at the intersection.

“As the officers arrived at the location, they saw two groups of men shooting at each other. When the suspects noticed the officers, they started shooting at them and the officers returned fire. Amid the shoot-out, backup was called.”

He added Primrose police, the Flying Squad and the Airwing raced to the scene. One man was found wounded in a veld with a rifle next to him. A further seven suspects were apprehended by the officers.

“The injured suspect was attended to and was taken to Germiston Hospital for further treatment under police guard. All the arrested suspects were detained at Primrose SAPS and charged with attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and illegal mining.”