ANA reports that seventeen Marikana mineworkers facing a range of charges briefly appeared in the North West High Court, sitting in Mogwase, on Monday.  

Their case was postponed to 18 October, due to an application they made at the High Court in Pretoria to review former National Director of Public Prosecution (NDPP) Shaun Abrahams' decision to prosecute them.  The charges relate to the murder of ten people, preceding 16 August 2012 -- the day on which 34 mineworkers were killed by the police during a wildcat strike at Lonmin platinum mine operations in Marikana.  The 26 counts cover attempted murder, murder, malicious damage to property, robbery, unlawful possession of firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition.  The State alleges the group killed two policemen, two Lonmin security officers and three non-striking workers amongst others during the violent strike.  Nineteen mineworkers were initially arrested, but two of the accused have since died.  A warrant of arrest was issued for Samekelo Mkhize who failed to appear in court.

• Read the full original of the report on the above at Mining Weekly

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page