More Marikana miners could be freed

2012-09-06 07:24

Lonmin miners in Marikana. (Felix Dlangamandla, Beeld)

Johannesburg - Another group of Marikana miners could possibly be released on warnings when they appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

The first group of workers was freed on Monday.

A total of 270 men were arrested for public violence after police opened fire on a group of protesting workers, killing 34 of them and wounding 78 near Lonmin's Marikana platinum mine on August 16.

Ten people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in the preceding week.

Last week, prosecutors said the men, charged with public violence, would also be charged with the murder and attempted murder of their colleagues.

The murder and attempted murder charges were provisionally withdrawn on Sunday after a public outcry.

The National Prosecuting Authority announced the men would be released in phases after each of their addresses had been verified.

- SAPA