Five men found dead near Sun City mine as police probe suspected illegal mining links

Police in North West have opened a murder investigation after five men were found shot dead at an opencast mine near Tlhatlaganyane village, close to Sun City.

Bodies discovered at mine site

The bodies were discovered on Monday, each with gunshot wounds. Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that a multi-disciplinary team was deployed to the scene to gather evidence and establish what led to the killings.

“An investigation has been launched into the circumstances that led to the shooting and discovery of five male bodies. The team is tasked with finding both the cause and those responsible for the murders,” Mokgwabone said.

Possible illegal mining connection

The area has long been flagged for illegal mining, with local tribal authorities and residents raising concerns. In fact, the mine site has previously been inspected by three Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Police, Home Affairs, and Minerals.

While Mokgwabone stressed that it is too early to draw conclusions, he acknowledged that rival mining groups could not be ruled out. “All clues and leads are being investigated, including the identity of the deceased and their reason for being on the site before the attack,” he said.

Community concerns

Illegal mining, often linked to zama zama groups, has left several communities in the North West and Gauteng living under constant fear of violence. Residents near Tlhatlaganyane have long warned about the dangers of unchecked mining activity and the violence that often follows disputes over territory and profits.

Police also tackle Facebook-linked crime

In a separate incident on the same day, police in Midrand, Johannesburg, exchanged gunfire with five robbery suspects linked to scams on Facebook Marketplace. The suspects were injured during the shootout, which follows a case where a buyer was shot and robbed last week after responding to a fake car sale ad.

Gauteng Deputy Commissioner Fred Kekana confirmed the arrests, warning residents to exercise caution when meeting sellers through social media.

What happens next

The Sun City mine shooting adds to growing concerns about how illegal mining fuels violence in rural communities. Police say they will continue their investigation until both the victims’ identities and the perpetrators are confirmed.

For now, the deaths serve as another stark reminder of the dangers tied to South Africa’s shadow mining economy.

{Source: TheCitizen}

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