News24.com | Five suspected illegal miners shot dead in Free State

Five people were shot dead in the Free State.

Five suspected illegal miners were shot and killed in Virginia, the Free State.

The men, found at Central Plant Mine, had gunshot wounds at the back of their heads. 

Police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng said authorities suspected the unknown killers shot the men elsewhere before dumping their bodies at the mine. 

Thakeng added the incident was reported to the police on Tuesday afternoon.

He said a local shepherd informed a man who was looking for his brother about the five bodies dumped at the mine. 

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"Five bodies were found after a man from Thabong was looking for his brother, and he was informed by the shepherd that there were bodies on the mine's premises.

"He showed the SAPS of Virginia where the bodies were. Preliminary investigation reveals that they were shot in the back of their heads." 

Thakeng added one of the men was a foreign national. His brother, who lives in Thabong, Welkom, identified him.

Police have not yet made any arrests.

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