The body of an unidentified man has been discovered in an open veld in the Chamdor area in Kagiso. The cause and motive for the death is unclear at this stage.

This, as tensions between the community and so-called zama-zamas have reached boiling point.

Fed-up community members have destroyed homes of alleged illegal miners and closed the opening to illegal mines in the area.

Police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesting crowds. The community’s action has reportedly been sparked by the police’s crackdown on illegal miners in the area.

Meanwhile, Gauteng Premier David Makhura has called for calm in the Kagiso area.

He has urged protesters to make use of existing non-violent platforms to raise their concerns, and refrain from violence and causing further disruption.

More than 120 people have been arrested.