ANA reports that a member of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), accused of the attempted murder of an Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) member, will know on Wednesday if his bail application bid has been successful.  

The State alleges that Nkosinathi Mantashe, 37, shot Amcu member Malibongwe Mdazo five times at Mooinooi on 22 July.  Prosecutor Cassius Mona argued that it was in the interest of justice to keep Mantashe in custody as his release could fuel the killings in the platinum belt around Rustenburg.  While the recent spate of killings in which a number of Amcu members have been shot dead has been reported to be a turf war between the two unions, some believe the killings were triggered by Amcu’s internal conflict.  Mantashe has denied the charge against him and told the court he could not be kept in custody “just because Amcu members filled up the court”.  On the day of the application, Amcu members filled the gallery and others protested outside calling on the court not to grant Mantashe bail.

• Read this report in full at eNCA

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