News24 reports that a mass shooting in the early hours of Friday claimed the lives of 12 people and left nine injured at the abandoned old Blaauwbank gold mine near Magaliesburg in Gauteng.

Provincial police are investigating the incident, suspected to be linked to illegal mining activity. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the victims were discovered in a dilapidated building at the site following reports of gunfire. “Upon arrival, police found the bodies of nine men and two women inside a dilapidated building. It was reported that ten other victims were taken to hospital, where one woman later died,” she indicated. Muridili said the motive behind the shooting remained unclear, however, police suspected that it might be linked to ongoing illegal mining (zama-zama) activity in the area.

• Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)

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