Police arrest four suspects following violent protests at a mine that left three people dead

POLOKWANE – The Police in Tubatse outside Burgersfort have arrested four suspects aged between 31 and 42 following the violent protests that took place at Annesley Mine yesterday, 15 March 2021. The violence led to the deaths of three people, including two Mine Security Guards.

A group of protesters from Segorong village allegedly went to the said mine at about 10h15 and on arrival, they demanded to see the Management. They then allegedly overwhelmed the Security Officers on duty, disarmed them and during the confrontation, some shots were fired. The windows of the guardroom were also smashed.

Two Security Guards, were in the process shot, one died on the spot yesterday while the another guard died in hospital on 16 March 2021. One of the protesters was also shot and taken to the local clinic where he later succumbed to injuries yesterday.

The police were then called to the scene and on arrival at the Mine, the group started running in different directions. The two Security Officers were still in the vicinity, lying on the ground. One was certified dead by paramedics and the other was taken to Dilokong hospital were he later passed on.

The police managed to recover a rifle that was found abandoned in the area but the pistol is still missing. The rifle was allegedly robbed from one of the Security Guards. The motive for this violent protest will be determined through ongoing police investigations.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Major General Samuel Manala has strongly condemned the incident and has urged the investigators to hunt down the remaining suspects and bring them to book.

The suspects will appear in Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 17 March 2021 and will face charges of three counts of murder, robbery and malicious damage to property. More arrests are expected.

Anyone with information than can lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects should contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Patrick Rampepe on 065 835 0980, Crime Stop number 08600 10111or the nearest Police station.

Source: South African Police Service

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