South Africa to withdraw murder charges against miners

South African prosecutors on Sunday suspended the murder charges
against 270 miners who had been accused of killing 34 striking
colleagues that were shot dead by police. The charges were made under
an apartheid-era law.

South African prosecutors provisionally withdrew murder charges on
Sunday against 270 miners who had been accused of killing 34 striking
colleagues shot dead by police, but said they could be recharged when
investigations are complete.

Public anger had been mounting at the charges, made under an
apartheid-era law under which the miners were deemed to have had a
“common purpose” in the murder of their co-workers.

The police killing of the strikers last month at the Marikana mine,
run by platinum producer Lonmin , was the worst such security incident
since the end of white rule in 1994, and recalled scenes of
apartheid-era state brutality.

“Final charges will only be made once all investigations have been
completed. The murder charges against the current 270 suspects will be
formally withdrawn provisionally in court,” Nomgcobo Jiba, the acting
national director of prosecutions, said in a televised news
conference.

In all, 44 people were killed in the wave of violence stemming from an
illegal strike and union turf war.

Top members of the ruling African National Congress had also expressed
dismay at the charges as a public backlash gathered.

“We are all surprised and confused by the National Prosecuting
Authority’s legal strategy,” the ANC’s chief whip in parliament said
on Friday.

President Jacob Zuma has seen his support erode over the killings and
the state’s handling of the matter, with enemies saying he is more
interested in protecting the industry and powerful labour groups than
the miners.

Source 

France24.com