Bloemfontein - The bodies of two illegal miners, killed in apparent underground fighting, were found at the Tshepong mine at Odendaalsrus by mineworkers, police said on Saturday.
Free State police spokesman Captain Stephan Thakeng said a new shift of mine workers discovered the bodies when they started their shift at 5.30am on Saturday.
Thakeng said it appeared the two illegal miners died in underground fighting.
One of the victims had a gun shot wound, while the other had a fatal wound to the head caused by a sharp object.
He said police and mine security were monitoring the situation at the mine.
Earlier, police arrested 44 illegal miners during a police operation at Thabong and Virginia.
Police focussed on Merriespruit in Virginia and the area between the Leseding Techinical School and Rathaba Hostel including an area opposite G Hostel in Thabong.
At the Merriespruit mine 38 illegal miners were arrested for trespassing on mine properties. Six were arrested at Thabong and most of the illegal miners were also undocumented people.
Police confiscated basins, mats and other equipment used during the illegal processing of gold dust.
Huge amounts of copper cable were also confiscated. - Sapa