Three suspects arrested,one killed during a shoot-out with private security personnel

Byline:Nonjabuliso Nhlambo

24 February 2025

Three suspects aged between 24 and 29 were arrested during a shoot-out with private security personnel at Weltevreden mine on Sunday, 23 February 2025, while they were tampering with infrastructure at the said mine.

According to the information at police disposal, six men forcefully gained entry at the underground gate at the mine by breaking the lock and damaging the shaft. The private security personnel went to the underground shaft to check what the suspects were doing at the shaft. Upon entering the shaft, the security personnel were welcomed with shots from the suspects, and they retaliated, where one (1) of the suspects got shot and died during the crossfire.

The security personnel managed to apprehend three suspects, with one being shot in the leg. Police were then summoned to the scene and swiftly responded to the matter.

Upon arrival at the scene, the police were informed that the suspects were extracted from the underground shaft with the deceased and the equipment they used to cut the cable. The security personnel then handed the suspects over to the police, with whom the injured one received medical treatment from Mpumalanga Emergency Medical Services in Bethal, which also certified and declared the deceased dead.

The three suspects, one of whom is a Lesotho national, were then arrested for tampering with infrastructure with the estimated value of 1.2 million rands; meanwhile, the two security personnel were arrested for murder, and they will all appear before Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 February 2025.

The police are collaboratively working with officials from the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain the status of the Lesotho national suspect in the country. More charges could possibly be added against him with regard to the contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa should it be discovered that he does not possess valid documentation thereof.

The body of the deceased was taken to Bethal government mortuary by Mr. Bakkie Jele and Miss Nomasonto Nkumane, both forensic pathologists.