Illegal miner shot dead in Benoni

Johannesburg - An illegal miner was killed and another wounded in a shoot-out with the police in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, on Thursday.

Police spokesperson Major Mack Mngomezulu said Ekurhuleni Metro Police and SAPS officers came under fire when they responded to a report of a shooting between illegal miners in the area.

"One illegal miner died on the scene and another was rushed to hospital under police guard," said Mngomezulu in a statement.

Two people were arrested, 14 rounds for an R5 rifle were seized and several explosive devices were found at the scene.

The area has been a hotspot of unrest involving illegal miners, with five bodies found in the area last Saturday.

Last month, two girls were injured after being hit by stray bullets while playing on a mine dump in the area during an apparent shooting involving illegal miners.