Eighteen mine workers, who face multiple charges including murder emanating from the violent strike at Lonmin Platinum Mine in Marikana four years ago, are expected to appear in the North West High Court on Friday.
During the shut down 10 people were killed in the days leading to the Marikana massacre on 16 August 2012, when 34 striking mineworkers were shot dead by the police.
Initially, 19 mine worker arrested, but accused number 10, Majeke Nonkonyana, has since died.
Anele Zonke and 17 others face charges of murder, robbery, malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of a firearm. They are expected to appear in the high court sitting in Mogwase for a pre-trial conference.
The State alleges the accused killed two policemen, two Lonmin security officers and non-striking mine workers.
Zonke is already serving a 42-year prison sentence. He was sentenced in February after he was found guilty of the 2014 murder of Samancor Chrome mine’s Human Resource manager Goodman Zalukano and the attempted murder of Thandi Zulakangana.
When Zalukano and Zulakangana left a shopping complex in Kroondal, near Rustenburg, they were attacked by Zonke and his accomplices Sandiso Majaxa and Siyabulela Nqwilelo.
Majaxa and Nqwilele were each sentenced to 41 years for their part in the crimes.
– African News Agency (ANA)
