270 workers charged with Marikana Massacre

On 30 August 2012, two hundred and seventy workers were charged with the murder of their collegues. The charges were connected with the fateful event that took place on the 16 August 2012,whereby the South African police services opened fire and killed thirty- four mineworkers who were striking for a wage increase in Lonmin Marikana mine in the North-West province. Mr Frank Lesenyego,the National Prosecution Authority spokeperson was quoted saying “This is under common law, where people are charged with common purpose in a situation where there are suspects with guns or any weapons and they confront or attack the police and a shooting takes place and there are fatalities” The workers applied for bail, but the bail application was rejected and the hearing was adjonerned for the next couples of days.