One person has been confirmed dead and two were badly injured when an explosion occurred at a house in Braamfisherville in Soweto earlier today. It's alleged the blast is connected to illegal mining in the area.

The Johannesburg Emergency Services say they have reason to believe that the deceased was an illegal miner. EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the explosion resulted from a stick of dynamite that was connected to a car battery. "Three people were affected. One person has died from injuries, one has been taken to hospital and another sustained minor injuries," she said.

Speaking to eNCA soon after the incident, community leader Leeto Moagi said that they normally hear explosions from the old mines, where illegal miners are operating in the area. "When I heard the sound, I did not take it seriously as this happens daily, I was alerted by community members who came knocking on my door to report the issue," he said, adding that he found three guys inside the shack, two were injured and one was already dead. "Next to them was an explosive device connected to the car battery," Moagi said. He added that they are concerned about illegal mining in the area but that there was nothing they could do as they were not law enforcement.