TimesLive reports that four illegal miners were killed and 17 were arrested following a shoot-out with the police at an open field in Dawn Park‚ east of Johannesburg‚ on Thursday morning.  

The crossfire started when the police and members of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) searched the area after receiving information that numerous explosives were being delivered for suspected illegal mining purposes.  A member of the EMPD was wounded in the face during the clash.  The arrested suspects will be charged with attempted murder‚ and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.  Police are still verifying the suspects' personal details, but current findings seem to indicate that most are Lesotho nationals.  Four firearms have been recovered in the area.  No explosives have been recovered yet.

• Read this report by Bafana Nzimande in full at TimesLive

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