A man described as dangerous and a wanted underground illegal mining kingpin has been fatally shot during an intelligence-driven tracing operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Intervention Unit (NIU) in Carletonville, Gauteng, on Sunday.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts by SAPS to dismantle illegal mining syndicates and disrupt violent criminal activities associated with illegal mining in the Carletonville area.
“The suspect was cornered by members of the NIU, who proceeded to a residence on Sunday where he was believed to be staying. Upon arrival, police announced their presence and identified themselves as police officers.
“The suspect responded by pointing an AK-47 assault rifle at the police. The members were compelled to respond with force, resulting in the suspect sustaining fatal gunshot wounds,” she said.
Mathe said an AK-47 rifle and 125 rounds of AK-47 ammunition were seized at the scene.
“The deceased suspect was known to police as one of the dangerous illegal mining kingpins operating in the Carletonville area. He is believed to have played a central role in the ongoing conflict between two rival illegal mining groups in the area,” she added.
SAPS has vowed to intensify operations aimed at dismantling illegal mining networks, disrupting criminal syndicates and restoring law and order in communities affected by illegal mining and associated violence.
Meanwhile, the latest crime statistics covering the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year highlighted illegal mining as a growing driver of organised crime and localised violence.
Police leadership said illegal mining continues to fuel heavily armed syndicates, extortion and insecurity, operating alongside gang violence and transnational crime.
Gauteng was singled out as the only province to record murders specifically linked to illicit mining during the period, with 18 cases recorded in the category. Police attributed the killings largely to violent clashes and turf wars in mining hotspots.
