'Prolonged Exchange of Gunfire': Two Illegal Miners Killed in Two-Hour Gun Battle with SAPS

'Prolonged exchange of gunfire': Two illegal miners killed in two-hour gun battle with SAPS

Two illegal miners were shot dead during a two-hour gun battle with police in Carletonville after officers were met with heavy gunfire while executing an intelligence-driven operation targeting unlicensed firearms.

Two illegal miners shot and killed in gun battle with police in Carletonville

Two illegal miners, also known as zama zamas, have been killed in a shootout with police on the West Rand. It is understood that the gun battle occurred on Sunday morning in Carletonville. Intelligence Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the South African National Police Services (Saps) National Intervention Unit (NIU) led an intelligence-driven operation when they encountered the zama zamas. “Information they had received indicate…

Deadly Carletonville Confrontation: Police Shoot Dead 2 Illegal Miners, Recover Guns

Johannesburg – Two illegal miners from Lesotho have been shot dead by police in Carletonville. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the illegal miners – better known as Zama Zamas – engaged in a shootout with police on Sunday, 8 February 2026. Brigadier Mathe said the fatal shooting occurred during a SA Police Service National Intervention Unit intelligence-driven operation in Carletonville “Information they had received indicated t…