AFTER four days of arguing over a further seven-day postponement of the case against 270 Lonmin mine workers, Magistrate Esau Bodigelo yesterday said it would be in the interest of justice that the police be allowed more time to conduct investigations.

The miners will now spend seven more days behind bars before their bail applications are heard. The men are charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of dangerous weapons and public violence.

Bodigelo was making a ruling in the application by the state that the police be afforded more time to gather information for the purposes of bail application. "Although the State was previously given a postponement, the police did not have enough time to gather more information," Bodigelo said.

In all, 264 miners were brought to court while six are in hospital under police guard.

Bodigelo said no right was absolute, and that currently the interest of justice weighed more that the rights of the miners.

"It is understood that 44 people were killed and the police played a role. Investigators have to get statements from some of the commanders who were present during the murders. Lonmin mine played a role. Unions were also involved. This shows how massive the investigations are ..."

The case was postponed to September 6.

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Fri May 24 13:02:25 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 31, 2012

lidodaduvha11

no comment
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Sep 1, 2012

skwamasamabele

WHY?? we know who shot the miners, and they are not suspended or in jail
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Sep 1, 2012

skwamasamabele

lidodaduvha11- No comment?? you should be ashamed of yourself. Look at yourself in the mirror and slap yourself
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