Justice Minister questions decision to charge Marikana detainees with murder

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe says the NPA must explain why the 270 arrested Marikana miners are facing murder charges.

Radebe says in a statement that he has requested the acting National Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Nomgcobo Jiba, to furnish him with a report explaining the rationale behind such a decision.

On the 16th of August, striking miners were shot dead in a confrontation with police who were trying to disperse them at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana.

Another 78 were injured.

Initially, the arrested group was charged with public violence.

The National Prosecuting Authority announced on Thursday that the men will also face murder and attempted murder charges for the deaths of their colleagues.

Meanwhile, talks to end a three-week strike at the mine have been postponed to Monday, after two days of negotiations failed to broker a deal.