Photo by: Reuters
Two metro police officers were ambushed by a group of five illegal miners near the Benoni Gold Mine, the Ekurhuleni metro police said on Friday.
The officers were patrolling the Benoni area on Thursday evening when the incident took place, said Chief Supterintendent Wilfred Kgasago.
"The suspects jumped out of the bushes and started shooting at the officers," he said.
"Police returned fire and called for backup."
When South African Police Service officers' arrived, the gunmen ran off.
The police did not follow them into the bushes as it was "a difficult terrain" and would be problematic in the dark.
No injuries or damage to property was reported.
A case of attempted murder was opened.