EWN reports that the two-day bail hearing of seven mine workers accused of orchestrating the murders of union leaders in and around Marikana was due to begin in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.  

The police ministry called the arrest of six of the men in February a breakthrough in curbing the spate of murders in the platinum belt mining communities in North West.  A small group of Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) supporters gathered outside the court on Wednesday, singing and carrying placards calling for bail to be denied to the seven suspects.  Since their arrest, the group has had to appear in court at least four times due to several challenges, including the shortage of magistrates in the region.  Magistrate Jethro Mosime will preside over the bail hearing.

• A short report by Masechaba Sefularo is at EWN

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