Two killed in wild 2-hour gun battle with police

Miners

Cape Town – Two suspected illegal miners were shot and killed during a prolonged early-morning gun battle with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Carletonville on Sunday, police confirmed.

Authorities said the deadly encounter followed an intelligence-led operation that escalated into a fierce exchange of gunfire lasting nearly two hours.

According to the South African Police Service, the confrontation began when officers from the National Intervention Unit (NIU) and the Gauteng Public Order Police acted on information about a group of illegal miners believed to be in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition in the West Rand town.

“Upon arrival at the targeted house at around 04:00 on Sunday morning, members observed suspects attempting to flee by jumping out through windows. The suspects immediately opened fire on police officers, and members responded accordingly,” Mathe said, reported IOL.

According to Mathe, what followed was an intense confrontation that lasted an estimated two hours, during which SAPS and the suspects exchanged sustained gunfire. She said that when the smoke cleared, two suspects had been fatally wounded, and no police officers were injured.

Police later seized several weapons at the scene, including two AK-47 assault rifles and two pistols, along with ammunition that will form part of ongoing investigations.

Mathe described the suspects, identified as Basotho nationals, as “extremely dangerous” and a threat to public safety. “They showed no hesitation in engaging the police,” she said.

After the bodies were discovered, officers established a wider security cordon around the area. Police believe additional suspects may have fled into nearby bushland, prompting ongoing surveillance operations to track down other persons of interest.

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