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Charges Dropped Vs. S. African Miners

Workers had been charged after police killed 34 in strike

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 2, 2012 9:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – South African prosecutors are dropping murder charges against 270 miners accused in the deaths of 34 of their co-workers killed by police during a strike, reports the BBC. "Final charges will only be made once all investigations have been completed," said the nation's top prosecutor today. "The murder charges against the current 270 suspects will be formally withdrawn provisionally in court." The miners will be released tomorrow and Tuesday, she said. Authorities had controversially dusted off an apartheid-era law to charge the miners, arguing that by striking they forced police to kill members of their ranks.

A mine worker sings at a gathering at the Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.
A mine worker sings at a gathering at the Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Family and colleagues of dead miner Andries Ntsenyeho visit the scene of the shooting at the Lonmin Platinum Mine, South Africa, Friday, Aug. 31, 2012.
Family and colleagues of dead miner Andries Ntsenyeho visit the scene of the shooting at the Lonmin Platinum Mine, South Africa, Friday, Aug. 31, 2012.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
A mine worker sings at a gathering at the Lonmin Platinum Mine, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.
A mine worker sings at a gathering at the Lonmin Platinum Mine, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
A miner holds a sign that reads we demand $1,485) during their meeting at the Lonmin Platinum Mine, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.
A miner holds a sign that reads "we demand $1,485)" during their meeting at the Lonmin Platinum Mine, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Mine workers sing and dance during their meeting at the Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.
Mine workers sing and dance during their meeting at the Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
JoeQ
Sep 2, 2012 11:10 AM CDT
Pretty predictable.  All Lonmin wants is for the miners to get back to work.
Mr_Joshua
Sep 2, 2012 9:29 AM CDT
Jacob Zuma is a moron and rapist who will drag SA further back into the stone age, undoing the little progress it has made since the ANC won power. And you can call me...............Mr Joshua

 
South Africa • miners • apartheid

 
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