Six men believed to be zama zamas were found dead in open veld next to the N1 freeway near Bosmont and New Canada, Johannesburg, on Wednesday morning.
Police spokesperson Brig Brenda Muridili said they had gunshot wounds.
“The motive for the shooting cannot be confirmed at this stage, though the victims are suspected to be illegal miners,” she said.
A police investigation is under way.
Muridili said Gauteng commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela has instructed the Johannesburg district to mobilise all the necessary resources, including the K9 unit and forensic services, to comb the scene for evidence.
Earlier on Wednesday, Gauteng traffic police confirmed Johannesburg emergency services were at the scene alongside the N1, and that preliminary information was it was related to illegal miners. The Crime Air Network said there were six victims, most of whom had been shot.
Six bodies of zama zamas found on N1
Image: 123RF
Six men believed to be zama zamas were found dead in open veld next to the N1 freeway near Bosmont and New Canada, Johannesburg, on Wednesday morning.
Police spokesperson Brig Brenda Muridili said they had gunshot wounds.
“The motive for the shooting cannot be confirmed at this stage, though the victims are suspected to be illegal miners,” she said.
A police investigation is under way.
Muridili said Gauteng commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela has instructed the Johannesburg district to mobilise all the necessary resources, including the K9 unit and forensic services, to comb the scene for evidence.
Earlier on Wednesday, Gauteng traffic police confirmed Johannesburg emergency services were at the scene alongside the N1, and that preliminary information was it was related to illegal miners. The Crime Air Network said there were six victims, most of whom had been shot.
This is a developing story
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
READ MORE:
How rival zama zamas, rogue soldiers, cops and Lesotho's political parties work 'in cahoots'
WATCH | Hijacked by zama zamas: gun battles, bombs force closure of working gold mines
Zama zama economics: R10k for a KFC bucket, R20k for a prostitute — 2.4km under the earth
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Related articles
Most read
Latest Videos