In a pre-dawn operation on Sunday, February 8, 2026, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Intervention Unit engaged in a shootout with heavily armed illegal miners at the Blyvooruitzig Gold Mine in Carletonville.
Acting on gathered intelligence, police arrived at the scene around 04:00. Their presence prompted suspects to flee, using whistles to signal others. A firefight subsequently broke out between the police and the illegal miners.
During the confrontation, two suspects were fatally wounded. Police arrested four additional suspects at the scene.
Authorities recovered significant weaponry following the operation, including one AK-47 rifle, two 9mm pistols, and ammunition. A State-owned police vehicle was damaged in the exchange of gunfire. No police officers sustained injuries.
The SAPS confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing.