Six suspected illegal miners have been found shot dead on a mountain in Mashobote, near Ngodwana, in what police believe may be linked to rivalry between illegal mining groups operating in the area.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said police received a call from a local at 11.am on Saturday, who reported seeing human bodies on a mountain in Mashobote.
Members of the illicit mining team were dispatched to the scene.
“Upon arrival, indeed police found six bodies with gunshot wounds, suspected to be those of illegal miners.”
Masondo said the circumstances surrounding the incident were still under investigation.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that the incident could be related to rivalry amongst illegal mining groups operating in the area.”
Illegal mining activities are prevalent in provinces including Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West, and Limpopo.
Operation Vala Umgodi
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga police commissioner Lieutenant-General Apaphia Modise said she had noted with concern the discovery of six bodies in one place.
“The incident in Ngodwana Policing Precinct is gruesome hence we have deployed our detectives to work around the clock and establish exactly what transpired.”
Modise appealed to anyone with information about the incident, or who may have heard or seen anything suspicious in the area, to come forward and assist the police.
“On the other hand, we are continuing to intensify Operation Vala Umgodi to deal decisively with illegal mining activities in the province of Mpumalanga,” she said.
