A rights group has urged authorities to drop charges against Marikana activist Napoleon Webster‚ who has been behind bars for 200 days without trial.
Webster has been charged with murder for allegedly being part of a mob killing of an ANC leader that took place in December in Marikana.
Webster’s supporters say he is being targeted because of his activism in Marikana‚ the impoverished North West town where police gunned down striking miners in 2012.
“Napoleon was detained for three months before his bail hearing. Despite several credible witnesses indicating that Napoleon was not present at the time the murder took place‚ the judge still denied Napoleon bail‚” the Marikana Support Campaign said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Subsequent court appearances have been characterised by incessant delays and displays of incompetence on the part of the Rustenburg court. These have ranged from power failures to several incidences where court stenographers have failed to arrive at work. These repeated delays have denied Napoleon a fair trial and have only served to unfairly and unjustly extend his detention.”
The Daily Maverick reported earlier this year that Webster had got on the wrong side of Marikana authorities after he organised a housing protest in which 290 RDP houses were occupied and renamed “34 Mambush” in honour of Marikana strike leader Mgcineni “Mambush” Noki.
“The continued detention of Napoleon Webster represents a miscarriage of justice. As we have asserted before‚ we believe that Napoleon has been unfairly targeted and … is politically motivated … We further urge the National Director of Public prosecutions to drop all charges against Napoleon immediately and release him from prison‚” the Marikana Support Campaign said.
“We believe that his arrest does not serve the ends of justice and is a ploy to punish Webster for his community activism in Marikana‚ an allegation the NPA and justice system need to consider very seriously.”
Webster is due to appear in the Mafikeng High Court on August 10 – six days before the anniversary of the Marikana massacre‚ in which 34 striking Lonmin mineworkers were killed by police.
Webster is approaching the High Court to appeal against the decision of the Rustenburg court to deny him bail.
“As the 5th anniversary of the Marikana Massacre quickly approaches‚ the need for justice for Napoleon Webster‚ the arrested mineworkers and all those who still suffer under dire conditions in Marikana‚ must be taken seriously‚” the Marikana Support Campaign said.
“We can no longer remain silent while the just are punished‚ and those responsible for the real crime are allowed off the hook. It is time for justice in Marikana.”
'Free Napoleon Webster' - Marikana activist spends 200 days behind bars without trial
A rights group has urged authorities to drop charges against Marikana activist Napoleon Webster‚ who has been behind bars for 200 days without trial.
Webster has been charged with murder for allegedly being part of a mob killing of an ANC leader that took place in December in Marikana.
Webster’s supporters say he is being targeted because of his activism in Marikana‚ the impoverished North West town where police gunned down striking miners in 2012.
“Napoleon was detained for three months before his bail hearing. Despite several credible witnesses indicating that Napoleon was not present at the time the murder took place‚ the judge still denied Napoleon bail‚” the Marikana Support Campaign said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Subsequent court appearances have been characterised by incessant delays and displays of incompetence on the part of the Rustenburg court. These have ranged from power failures to several incidences where court stenographers have failed to arrive at work. These repeated delays have denied Napoleon a fair trial and have only served to unfairly and unjustly extend his detention.”
The Daily Maverick reported earlier this year that Webster had got on the wrong side of Marikana authorities after he organised a housing protest in which 290 RDP houses were occupied and renamed “34 Mambush” in honour of Marikana strike leader Mgcineni “Mambush” Noki.
“The continued detention of Napoleon Webster represents a miscarriage of justice. As we have asserted before‚ we believe that Napoleon has been unfairly targeted and … is politically motivated … We further urge the National Director of Public prosecutions to drop all charges against Napoleon immediately and release him from prison‚” the Marikana Support Campaign said.
“We believe that his arrest does not serve the ends of justice and is a ploy to punish Webster for his community activism in Marikana‚ an allegation the NPA and justice system need to consider very seriously.”
Webster is due to appear in the Mafikeng High Court on August 10 – six days before the anniversary of the Marikana massacre‚ in which 34 striking Lonmin mineworkers were killed by police.
Webster is approaching the High Court to appeal against the decision of the Rustenburg court to deny him bail.
“As the 5th anniversary of the Marikana Massacre quickly approaches‚ the need for justice for Napoleon Webster‚ the arrested mineworkers and all those who still suffer under dire conditions in Marikana‚ must be taken seriously‚” the Marikana Support Campaign said.
“We can no longer remain silent while the just are punished‚ and those responsible for the real crime are allowed off the hook. It is time for justice in Marikana.”
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