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Empty benches in court.
Eleven people, including ten alleged illegal miners, are expected to appear in the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court in western Johannesburg on Monday.
They were arrested in Bekkersdal on Wednesday last week after allegedly being found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
#sapsGP Ten foreign nationals suspected to be illegal miners were arrested in Westonaria with an AK-47, four pistols and ammunition. An 11th suspect was arrested for harbouring illegal immigrants. The suspects are expected in court on 29/12.#FightingCrime #IllegalMining… pic.twitter.com/rBDovbJmY1
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 24, 2025
The arrests followed a shooting incident in which ten patrons were killed at a tavern in Bekkersdal over a week ago.
A South African citizen was also arrested for allegedly harbouring illegal immigrants.
Police say some of the suspects were tenants of the South African man who was arrested. Police say the recovered firearms will undergo ballistic tests to determine if they were used in other crimes, including the recent mass shooting attack in Bekkersdal.
They face charges including possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, illegal immigration and defeating the ends of justice.
VIDEO | Illegal miners relocate machines after arrests:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM1VdNXkZzg
