Nine suspected illegal miners have reportedly been arrested in the Mashoboto area outside Mbombela, Mpumalanga, following several days of violent clashes between rival groups of suspected illegal miners.
The arrests come after repeated exchanges of gunfire in and around the Mashoboto and Schoemanskloof areas, with police and other law-enforcement personnel maintaining a heavy presence in the area.
The violence has raised serious concerns for residents, motorists and people working in the surrounding farming and business communities.
The latest developments follow a series of shooting incidents reported since Tuesday, September 29, when gunfire involving suspected illegal miners forced the temporary closure of the N4 Toll Road through Schoemanskloof.
The road was closed in both directions after authorities raised concerns that motorists could be caught in the crossfire. The disruption caused major traffic delays along the important route linking Mpumalanga with Gauteng and the Lowveld.
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Jackie Macie condemned the violence and called for intensified action against illegal mining-related criminality.
Authorities have been conducting operations in the area under initiatives including Operation Vala Umgodi and Operation Shanela, which are aimed at disrupting illegal mining and other criminal activity.
Two bodies recovered
The latest violence has also been accompanied by the recovery of two bodies in the Mashoboto and Schoemanskloof area.
On Wednesday, September 30, police confirmed the discovery of the body of an unidentified man suspected to be an illegal miner near Mashoboto Hill.
The body was found on a makeshift stretcher near the R539. Police said the circumstances surrounding the man’s death were under investigation.
A second body was discovered the following day, October 1, after further gunfire in the area.
Police reported that the second deceased man was 28 years old and had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. His body was found hanging on a barbed-wire fence.
Live ammunition, spent cartridges and an empty AK-47 magazine were also reportedly found at the scene.
The discoveries came as rival groups of suspected illegal miners continued to exchange gunfire in the area.
Repeated gunfire
The clashes have resulted in the Schoemanskloof route being temporarily closed on several occasions this week.
One of the more recent shooting incidents reportedly began after 18:00 and continued for approximately 40 minutes. The gunfire was described by people in the area as intense, prompting authorities to close the road to protect motorists.
The repeated incidents have disrupted traffic and raised concerns among residents and businesses operating in the area.
The situation has also drawn calls for stronger and sustained security operations to prevent further clashes and protect communities and road users.
Police deployment
A significant police presence has been deployed to the area as authorities continue efforts to bring the situation under control.
Police have been monitoring the area and investigating the shootings, deaths and alleged illegal mining activities.
The latest arrests form part of the wider law-enforcement response to illegal mining activity in Mashoboto, an area that has previously been identified as a hotspot for illegal mining.
Earlier this year, police and other law-enforcement agencies conducted operations at Mashoboto and nearby Mankele farms, resulting in arrests and the seizure of equipment allegedly used for illegal mining.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that illegal mining is unlawful and can contribute to serious criminal, environmental and public-safety problems.
Calls for stronger intervention
The recent violence has prompted renewed calls for increased security resources in the area.
The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism has called for stronger intervention following the disruption of major transport routes and concerns over the safety of motorists, residents and businesses.
MEC Macie has also called for authorities to pursue not only people operating at illegal mining sites but also those allegedly responsible for organising and financing illegal mining operations.
The provincial government has said intelligence-driven operations are being conducted to address illegal mining-related criminality.
The situation in Mashoboto remains under investigation as police continue operations in the area.
The latest arrests and the investigation into the shootings are expected to provide authorities with further information about the rival groups operating in the area and the violence that has occurred in recent days.
