Three Lesotho nationals have been arrested and charged with murder following a mass shooting in Johannesburg earlier this month that claimed the lives of 13 people.
The suspects, aged between 26 and 34, were arrested after being identified to police by some of the 14 survivors of the attack, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The shooting took place on 9 June at an informal settlement situated about six kilometres east of Johannesburg's city centre, near a number of abandoned gold mine shafts.
Investigators believe the attack was linked to ongoing turf wars between rival groups involved in illegal mining operations at abandoned and disused mines.
According to police, approximately 10 armed attackers were dropped off at both entrances to the settlement late at night before opening fire as they moved through the area. The suspects allegedly fled the scene in a waiting vehicle after the shooting.
The attack left 13 people dead and 14 others injured.
Reports indicate that the victims included South African citizens as well as nationals from neighbouring Mozambique and Zimbabwe. A woman who later succumbed to her injuries is believed to have been from Lesotho.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with illegal mining in South Africa.
Thousands of undocumented miners, commonly known as "zama zamas", operate in abandoned mines across the country, extracting gold and other minerals under hazardous conditions.
Driven largely by poverty and unemployment, many illegal miners come from countries across the Southern African region. The sector has increasingly been linked to organised crime, violent turf wars, extortion, illegal firearms and other criminal activities.
The three accused are expected to appear in court as investigations into the deadly attack continue. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests.