Cops tortured miners over Malema - report

2012-09-09 10:34

(File, Sapa)

Johannesburg - The police's crime intelligence unit allegedly tortured mineworkers to establish whether expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema incited them to violence at Lonmin's Marikana mine, it was reported on Sunday.

Colonel Nkosana "Killer" Ximba made the incitement claim to his superiors, reported City Press.

Asked about the alleged torture, he said: "Did you see me there? Go and do an investigation before talking such rubbish."

Ximba has been implicated in the death of Oupa Ramogibe, the love rival of suspended police crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli. Charges have been withdrawn pending an inquest currently underway.

On August 16, police fired on striking miners, killing 34 and wounding 78. Another 270 were arrested.

The City Press report was based on information from two official sources, which claimed standard procedure was not followed when the miners were booked out of their cells.

It reported that the State Security Agency was asked to investigate the incitement claim, but could not verify it.

The torture claims echo complaints made by some 150 miners that they were beaten and tortured in custody.

Some detainees claimed officers took them from police cells to interrogation rooms where they were tortured.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate told the newspaper it was probing allegations of police assaults at five police stations, but was not aware of the torture claim.

- SAPA