This follows their arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit with the assistance of the National Intervention Unit and the District Illegal Mining Task Team on Friday.

According to a statement issued by Hawks spokesperson Tlangelani Rikhotso, police followed up on information about a consignment of food which was to be dropped off at a ventilation shaft by alleged kingpins and their assistants.

When the suspects spotted the police, they allegedly started shooting.

The team managed to apprehend 16 assistants and 1 kingpin. The rifleman fled into the shaft and could not be arrested.

The suspects were allegedly found in possession of approximately R14 800, illegal mining paraphernalia, approximately 3 tons of food and a Toyota LDV was seized at the shaft.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, lauded the exceptional work by the multi-disciplinary team and warned that the police are going to continue cracking a whip on criminals in the province.

Statement supplied.