2 miners shot dead during rival illegal mining clashes in South Africa

The busy R539 road through Schoemanskloof in Mpumalanga has been closed for the third time this week after a second body was discovered early on Thursday morning amid ongoing gun battles between rival groups of illegal miners, known as zama zamas.

The latest closure followed a shoot-out that erupted around 18:00 on Wednesday evening (30 September) and lasted about 40 minutes. Residents described the gunfire as sounding “like a war zone.” Authorities shut the scenic route — a key link between Mbombela and Gauteng — to protect motorists from crossfire. The road is currently treated as an active crime scene.

The second body was found hanging on a barbed-wire fence near the main road. A day earlier, the body of a man riddled with bullets (including one to the head) was discovered lying on a makeshift stretcher beside the road near Mashoboto Hill. Preliminary reports link the deaths to territorial clashes between illegal mining groups.

Community members reported that the first major incident began on Tuesday morning (29 September) shortly after 08:00, with intense gunfire continuing for nearly two hours before shifting closer to the road. Some residents claimed the initial explosions sounded louder than ordinary high-calibre weapons and may have involved RPG-7s or hand grenades. Police recovered two live rounds and an empty AK-47 magazine at the scene.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that six other bodies were found in the area on 29 August, believed to have been caught in earlier crossfire. Sporadic shooting has been reported for about two years, with at least four heavy gunfights recorded since July.

Local sources say heavily armed men, some allegedly from Lesotho, have entered the area, sparking the rivalry. Bodies have reportedly been left in the road for trucks to drive over as warnings to rival groups. Farm workers and residents fear motorists and local people could be caught in the crossfire.

Tourism and business leaders are demanding stronger action. Oupa Pilane of the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism called the situation a public safety, tourism and economic crisis. He urged President Cyril Ramaphosa and national authorities to consider deploying the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) alongside police, as has been done in other provinces affected by illegal mining.

“The N4 is more than a road. It is an economic and tourism artery connecting Gauteng, Mbombela, the Kruger National Park and Mozambique,” Pilane said. “We cannot invite the world to visit Mpumalanga while criminal networks threaten communities and strategic corridors.”

Farmers in the citrus-growing region warn that the violence threatens their industry and export livelihoods. Residents describe the armed groups as operating with little fear of the law, disappearing into communities when police arrive and resuming activities soon after.

MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison Jackie Macie acknowledged the economic and tourism impact of the repeated road closures and said his department is working with police on specialised operations.

The R539 has since reopened and is reported safe for travel, but police forensic teams remain on scene. The story is developing.