Evander - An illegal miner has been shot dead allegedly by a rival group of illegal miners, Mpumalanga police said on Monday.
On Sunday, police found the dead man lying in a pool of blood at a disused mine at Evander, near Secunda, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.
The previous morning, six people were wounded, three critically, also at Evander.
“In both incidents, it is alleged that the victims were shot by a rival group after a squabble broke (out) while they were involved in illegal mining,” Mohlala said.
Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Thulani Ntobela condemned the killings, believed to be linked to illegal mining.
“We will continue with operations to stop these illegal mining activities. We are appealing to the neighbouring communities to assist us in identifying these illegal miners so we can put them behind bars,” Ntobela said.
Sapa