A bag containing 75 AK-47 rounds was recovered during a police operation against zama zamas in Westonaria.
Image: Supplied
The team deployed to stabilise the situation in the West Rand District and dismantle illegal mining activities recovered 75 AK-47 rifle rounds of ammunition following a shootout with a group of suspected illegal miners in the early hours of Thursday, February 12, 2026, in Westonaria.
Police received a call from the private security officers deployed at a mine in Westonaria about approximately 100 illegal miners who were heading towards the mine plant. Police officers from Public Order Policing were immediately dispatched.
“As the police were approaching, the alleged illegal miners started firing shots at the police, using automatic rifles, and police fired back,” said the police.
As they were advancing, police found a bag containing the 75 AK-47 rifle rounds of ammunition.
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the team arrested two suspects and seized tools used for illegal mining. The duo, aged 30, were arrested after they were found in possession of suspected stolen cables and a water pump, worth thousands of rands. 26 bags of gold-bearing materials and 42 steel pendukas were seized.