RIVERLEA - A man was killed by a stray bullet during a shootout between police and illegal miners in the Zamimpilo informal settlement in Riverlea.
Police were in pursuit of three suspects who fled into the informal settlement, where a gun battle ensued.
59-year-old Jerome Lottering was shot dead on his way back from work.
His sister says the family had pleaded with him to leave the informal settlement.
“We begged him to stay with us, but he wouldn’t listen,” she said.
His wife also wanted them to leave the area.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw my husband lying dead. I told him, if he doesn’t leave this place, they will carry his body out one day,” she said.
A neighbour recalls the chaos of the early-morning shootout: “There was crossfire as Jerome was coming back from work. The police were trying to fight crime in the area.”
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the incident.
“We can confirm one fatality. A case of murder has been opened and is currently under investigation,” he said.
Community members, angered by the incident, tried to block a main road in protest.
For years, Riverlea has been plagued by illegal mining. Gun battles are common, as zama zamas often fight for territory.
Masondo says the police are making inroads in the fight to end this criminality.
“We can’t say we are losing the fight. We have arrested many illegal miners in this area,” he said.
He urged the community to cooperate with law enforcement.
“We are appealing to the community to stop harbouring illegal miners. Many of those arrested are staying in local homes. We need the public to work with us to root out this criminal activity,” Masondo added.
- eNCA senior reporter Aviwe Mtila was in Riverlea following the unfortunate incident