Law enforcement officers have been met with heavy gunfire in Matholeville west of Johannesburg where they have been targeting illegal mining hotspots.
Joburg Metro Police were shot at with what sounded like high calibre weapons.
The officers led by Joburg Public Safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku have been raiding illegal mining operations following the death of five suspected illegal miners in Riverlea, south of Johannesburg, last weekend.
“There was an exchange of gunfire, the MMC had to ensure that they follow these people together with our crew. So we are still on the lookout for the illegal miners. But what we saw is that they are heavily armed and that we need to approach with extreme caution. What we have seen is that they are assault rifles. We are not too sure, it could be AK47s or any other assault rifles,” says JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla.
