Polokwane – A police operation turned deadly on Tuesday this week after a shoot-out erupted between officers and a group of extortion suspects at a mine in the Driekop policing area, Limpopo.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, members of Operation Vala Umgodi were dispatched to the scene after reports that a group of armed suspects had blocked at least 22 mine trucks, demanding money before allowing them to load minerals.
“Upon arrival at the scene, they found the mine trucks blocked, and a group of suspects was also spotted, whereby the suspects noticed the Police and fired shots at the direction of the Police,” Ledwaba said.
One suspect, aged 27, was fatally shot during the exchange. Emergency medical services were called to the scene, and the man was declared dead. His identity is being withheld pending further investigation.
Five suspects, aged between 31 and 46, were arrested on the spot. Police also recovered a firearm with four live rounds and five cellphones during the arrests.
Ledwaba confirmed that another individual, a service provider at the mine, had also been threatened by the group and ordered to hand over payment he had received from the mining company.
Following the shoot-out, the police team extended their operations to Leeufontein Village in the Marble Hall area, where they conducted patrols and stop-and-searches at illegal mining sites.
Seven additional suspects, aged between 20 and 45, were arrested for contravening immigration laws.
All arrested suspects are expected to appear before their respective magistrate’s courts soon.
Police investigations are ongoing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
