EMPD concerned about policing suspected illegal miners: 'They operate in informal settlements'

JOHANNESBURG - Informal settlements remain an area of concern for law enforcement in Germiston as they form a base for criminals and illegal activities.

At least four informal settlements - including the Marathon informal settlement in Primrose - are allegedly being used as a base for illegal miners.

On Tuesday morning - Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers arrested seven suspected illegal miners, injuring several, following a shooting near the Simmer and Jack Landfill site.

"It’s definitely automatic firearms, it’s a lot of gunfire. The Primrose High School, which is right across the road, have already evacuated all children into the hall."

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A WhatsApp voice note by a community member in Primrose earlier on Tuesday details information about a shooting between suspected zama zamas and EMPD's illegal mining task team.

EMPD's deputy chief of operations and specialised units, general JuliusMkhwanazi, says when it comes to policing illegal mining activities, their work remains constrained due to the environment.  

"They operate in informal settlements, where they don’t even have a physical address, where you can’t even identify a shack. When they shoot at you, you can’t even shoot back because when you shoot at them you have to think about the innocent people staying there. "

Police recovered four firearms, including two shotguns and arrested seven suspected illegal miners.

Several others managed to flee down an illegal mining shaft.