South Africa: Nine illegal miners stoned to death in ‘barbaric attack’

Police arrest 87 people over Johannesburg killings

Thousands of people are estimated to be involved in illegal mining in South Africa, often at sites that have been closed down by companies (AFP via Getty Images)

Police have launched a manhunt for the killers of nine miners who were stoned to death in South Africa.

Nine Lesotho nationals, who were reportedly involved in illegal mining, were murdered in Johannesburg on Friday in an attack allegedly carried out by fellow “zama-zamas” – a South African term for people involved in the illicit trade.

Police have arrested 87 people for questioning over the killings, according to the South African Police Service (SAPS), but authorities are still appealing for witnesses.

The bodies of the nine miners were found lying in the streets of the Matholeville, a western district of the city, and a tenth person was found seriously injured on Friday afternoon and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The attack came a day after Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, Gauteng province's police commissioner, led a raid in the area.

“The suspects are now accusing the deceased of being involved in criminal activities which attract the police into their illegal mining operational space,” said a statement issued by SAPS.

“However, this does not excuse the suspects’ actions as the law does not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands.”

Police vowed they "will not sleep" until all suspects linked to the killings are located and arrested.

“We condemn this barbaric attack and we will ensure we leave no stone unturned in making the people of Matholeville and Roodepoort feel safe,” Lieutenant General Mawela said.

“The suspects will be arrested as soon as possible and the police will not sleep until we find them.”

The police commissioner has also called for “calm and cooperation” from the community in Matholeveille while random searches are carried out in the area.

Illegal mining has been on the rise in South Africa, often taking place in abandoned mines, according to the Minerals Council.

“Many thousands of people are currently estimated to be involved in illegal mining, both directly and indirectly,” the industry organisation's website states.

“Miners enter mostly abandoned shafts, travelling as far as 4km underground where they may live for several days at a time, risking their lives and the lives of others.”