 A suspected illegal miner was found dead in the Sand River near Thabong on Thursday, Free State police said.
The Lesotho national was found in the river, his hands bound with cable-ties, and a gunshot wound to the back of his head, Warrant Officer Malebo Khosana said.
“It is believed the man was an illegal miner, also called a zama-zama. He and three others were allegedly busy processing gold dust near the river when a rival group of illegal miners attacked them.”
Witnesses saw the rival group taking the four men to the river before hearing several gunshots.
“It is suspected that the bodies of the other three men might also be in the river. A search for them would continue on Friday.”
No arrests had been made yet. - Sapa
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