THE GaRankuwa Magistrate's Court yesterday heard that the State did not have enough resources to conduct investigations into the case against 259 Lonmin miners at a faster pace.
Prosecutor Nigel Carpenter said state resources were stretched as this was a massive case.
He said there were 16 officers appointed to conduct investigations.
"These officers already have other cases they are investigating.
"In North West alone there are 1,150 investigating officers who have to deal with 29,000 dockets and 32,000 matters in court.
"Each officer has to investigate about 15 cases and they need to verify the accused's information including those from other countries such as Lesotho."
Carpenter was applying for a seven-day postponement to allow the police time to conduct their investigations.
He said the police had to confirm the accused's addresses, take their fingerprints and verify any outstanding cases.
He said Lonmin also had to assist the police in their investigations.
"They are also trying to identify the accused and they have only managed to go through half of the people. This is a large and unusual case.
"At this stage the state did not have time to investigate if the accused were linked. Whether they are linked or not is irrelevant," he said.
The case was postponed to tomorrow after the court experienced a power failure.
Though the proceedings took place hours before the postponement, the miners' wives and family members sang and danced tirelessly, calling for their release.
Mmabonang Seleke, 35, said her husband left for Lesotho on the day the strike resumed.
"He came back on Wednesday and was arrested on Thursday. It is so difficult to cope without him, my children are suffering. I pray that they release him," she said.
Maapi Nkwebe, 38, said she would not give up hope that her husband Job would be released.
"I will come back tomorrow, I will not give up. I came here from Lesotho on Sunday and I was given only 14 days to be in the country. I hope he will be released by then."
The miners were arrested about two weeks ago following clashes with police, who allegedly shot dead 34 striking miners.
State 'lacks resources' to probe miners case
THE GaRankuwa Magistrate's Court yesterday heard that the State did not have enough resources to conduct investigations into the case against 259 Lonmin miners at a faster pace.
Prosecutor Nigel Carpenter said state resources were stretched as this was a massive case.
He said there were 16 officers appointed to conduct investigations.
"These officers already have other cases they are investigating.
"In North West alone there are 1,150 investigating officers who have to deal with 29,000 dockets and 32,000 matters in court.
"Each officer has to investigate about 15 cases and they need to verify the accused's information including those from other countries such as Lesotho."
Carpenter was applying for a seven-day postponement to allow the police time to conduct their investigations.
He said the police had to confirm the accused's addresses, take their fingerprints and verify any outstanding cases.
He said Lonmin also had to assist the police in their investigations.
"They are also trying to identify the accused and they have only managed to go through half of the people. This is a large and unusual case.
"At this stage the state did not have time to investigate if the accused were linked. Whether they are linked or not is irrelevant," he said.
The case was postponed to tomorrow after the court experienced a power failure.
Though the proceedings took place hours before the postponement, the miners' wives and family members sang and danced tirelessly, calling for their release.
Mmabonang Seleke, 35, said her husband left for Lesotho on the day the strike resumed.
"He came back on Wednesday and was arrested on Thursday. It is so difficult to cope without him, my children are suffering. I pray that they release him," she said.
Maapi Nkwebe, 38, said she would not give up hope that her husband Job would be released.
"I will come back tomorrow, I will not give up. I came here from Lesotho on Sunday and I was given only 14 days to be in the country. I hope he will be released by then."
The miners were arrested about two weeks ago following clashes with police, who allegedly shot dead 34 striking miners.
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