Mthethwa receives Marikana report

2012-08-25 09:15

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa (File, Beeld)

Johannesburg - A report alleging that arrested mine workers have been assaulted by the police was handed to Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa on Friday.

"The preliminary report provided to the minister confirms that on August 22 it came to the attention of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) that detainees linked to the Marikana incident were assaulted by [SA Police Service] SAPS members at Phokeng police station and Mogwase police station," Mthethwa's spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said in a statement.

Police shot dead 34 striking Lonmin Platinum mine employees and wounded 78 in a violent confrontation last Thursday. A total of 260 mineworkers were arrested.

They complained to the IPID that they had been assaulted by the police during their arrests.

"The IPID's investigators registered a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm at the Mogwase Police Station. Investigators obtained statements from 50 victims in this regard," said Mnisi.

Two similar cases were opened at the Phokeng and Jericho police stations by mineworkers detained there.

Mnisi said arrangements were being made for some of the miners to be relocated and to receive medical attention.

"Any police officer who conducts him or herself in a manner that is not in line with constitutional principles should face the full might of the law and I encourage IPID to investigate these allegations, without fear or favour," Mthethwa said in the statement.

- SAPA