ANA reports that six more people have been arrested in connection with the recent spate of killings on the Rustenburg platinum mining belt. This brought the number of people arrested to nine, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula told journalists on Sunday.
"Last night [Saturday] we have taken down [the] brains behind the killings. We still have few to chase," he said, explaining that those arrested were three suspected masterminds behind the killings and the other six were believed to have been the gunmen. Mbalula indicated that those arrested were union leaders and "some politicians". They were arrested in the Eastern Cape and in Marikana near Rustenburg. Mbalula said there would be more arrests. The six arrested on Saturday night were expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate's Court on Monday. Union members killed in the North West platinum belt include Tholakele "Bhele" Dlunga, Mvelisi Biyela, Zingisa Mzendana, Mohahu Daniel Maseko, Mpeke Nonyana, and Mawethu Steven, among others. Three men were arrested last year in connection with the attempted murder in July of Malibongwe Mdazo, the branch chairman of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) at Western Platinum. Two have been released on bail, while the bail hearing of the third is still continuing.
- Read this report in full at by Molaole Montsho in full at IOL News
- See too, Six more arrested for North West platinum mines killings, at IOL News
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