4 arrested for killing mine guard

2012-10-04 16:45

Durban - Four men have been arrested for allegedly killing a security guard at Petmin's troubled Somkhele anthracite mine in northern KwaZulu-Natal, police said on Thursday.

Captain Thulane Zwane said the four were taken into custody after 48-year old Bhekuyise Nxumalo was hacked to death on Monday.

Zwane said none of the four men worked at the mine, which is currently affected by strike action by about 345 workers employed by a sub contractor.

"They are not working at the mine. It was just pure criminality."

Zwane said three of the men were arrested a day after the attack and the fourth man on Wednesday.

The four, aged between 20 and 25, would appear in the KwaMsane Magistrate’s Court on Friday. They face murder and robbery charges.

Zwane said police had also recovered Nxumalo’s shotgun, which was stolen during the robbery.

Earlier this week, police spokesman Captain Jabulani Mdletshe said the attack had taken place during a power failure at the mine.

Nxumalo was in the security hut, while another guard who was outside managed to flee the attackers.

The strike at Somkhele started last week and the first violence was reported on Monday night.

According to the Witness newspaper, workers are demanding a take-home salary of between R10 000 and R15 000 a month. They currently earned between R4 000 and R6 000.

Comment could not immediately be obtained from Sandton Plant Hire.

- SAPA