UPDATE: 7 suspected zama zamas arrested in Primrose, Ekurhuleni

JOHANNESBURG - Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers have arrested seven suspected illegal miners during a multidisciplinary operation in Primrose, Germiston, on Tuesday morning.

At least three of the suspects were shot and injured by members of EMPD, working together with the South African Police Service. 

According to EMPD, their illegal mining task team was gathering information near the Simmer and Jack landfill site in Germiston when they were shot at by suspected zama zama’s. 

ALSO READ: Police discover the bodies of 8 suspected zama-zamas in Roodepoort open veld

EMPD’s deputy chief of operations and specialised units, general Julius Mkhwanazi: “Unfortunately, when they were gathering today [Tuesday], they were engaged by these suspects who shot at them, they had to respond to that. 

“When they were responding fortunately, they were able to get and restrain some of them. We have recovered four firearms, two shotguns and two side pistols and seven suspects.”