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Freed miners give grim details of shootings
September 4 2012 at 07:50am By Mogomotsi Magome and Yolande du Preez
File picture - Released Lonmin mineworker Nkosibongile Momaphela celebrates with his sister Nomfundo Jali after he was released with 161 other miners at Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court. This was the first group of miners to be released after murder charges against them were dropped. Photo: Phill Magakoe
North West - Marikana miners who were released from custody on Monday have alleged they were chased and shot by police officers long after the initial shooting that was published or broadcast by the media. They said police officers chased and fired at them with live rounds, while others fired at them side-on as they marched. The 162 miners were freed on Monday after the charges of murder and attempted murder were provisionally withdrawn against all 270 miners in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court. The miners were released on free bail. The rest of the miners are to be released when their residential addresses have been confirmed. This follows the announcement made on Sunday by the acting national director of public prosecutions that the murder and attempted murder charges would be provisionally withdrawn and that the miners would be released on free bail. Friends and relatives of the arrested miners came in their numbers to see their relatives and to welcome them after their release. Although there was jubilation outside the court when the miners were released, the relatives of those who had not been released were saddened that they would not see them yet. Miners who were specifically asked about the events that preceded their arrests described in detail how they saw fellow miners die in front of them. One, Pakatsa Mpele, said a group of miners had eventually been cornered by the police and shot at close range. “Look, a lot of things happened there that I cannot even say to you, because they make my heart boil when I think about them. Most of them happened even before the police shootings. “When we were in custody we saw footage on television, but most of the things that happened were not there. There were police officers who were wearing army uniform shooting at us from the sides. “I remember one of my colleagues being shot from behind, he lay on the floor screaming ‘Banqetile (They have finished me)’,” said Mpele. He said he could not believe he was still alive when he saw fellow miners lying dead on the ground. “We were actually cornered by police. We only saw them as we were running back when the other police started to shoot,” he said. Mpele said he would not go back to work until the R12 500 miners were demanding had been agreed to. Nkosibongile Momaphela, who is from the Eastern Cape, said they spent their time in custody praying to be released and for the miners who died. “In jail we could see the videos being played on television, but the videos do not show how people were chased and shot by the police,” he said. “We all ran back when the shooting was taking place, but there were other police who surrounded us. “The videos did not show how police shot at us and kicked us to the ground before we were arrested. “We were made to lie down on the floor when we were arrested while others were lying on the ground.” Nomfanelo Jali was happy that his brother was released, but she is looking for another of her brothers, whom she last saw on the day of the Marikana shooting. She said she had enquired at all the police stations where the miners were held and had checked at the mortuaries, to no avail. “I have looked everywhere, but I cannot find him anywhere. He was at work attending the meeting when the shooting happened. “I have been coming here since last week hoping that maybe they forgot him at the police station or that maybe there was something wrong with the paperwork, but he is still not here.” Nceba Maqhaga was among the people who were disappointed when their relatives were not released. He said he was certain that his uncle, Funisile Feleva, was in custody as he had called home to inform his wife in the Eastern Cape that he had been arrested. “It’s hard to sleep at night, because we don’t know whether he has food and water wherever he’s being kept. The only thing he said was that he had been arrested by the police. We have not seen him yet. “I think he is one of those whose addresses they are still trying to verify,” said Maqhaga. He said he was relieved that some of the miners had been released, as it gave him hope that his uncle might be freed before the end of the week. Although arrangements had been made for the miners to be transported by the police back to Marikana, the men jumped into taxis that were waiting for them outside the court. * Only 145 of about 270 people arrested in connection with the August 16 shooting at the Marikana mine are Lonmin employees. After two-and-a-half weeks of requesting the names of the arrested, a list was sent . The list is numbered up to 270, but contains only 267 names. Numbers 261, 263 and 264 are skipped. Number 40 is illegible on the fax. Police said they had arrested 259 people in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, that 34 were dead and 78 were in hospital. They have since arrested some of the injured as they were discharged from hospital. Lonmin spokeswoman Sue Vey said they had so far identified only 145 on the list as their employees. 1. Vayeke Sivuka 2. Tsekang Tshepo Moletsane 3. Melilizwe Boco 4. Silungile Bosanathi 5. Mthetheleli Gunguthwa 6. Mjolankosiphona 7. Simpiwe Kkhuthani 8. Lesala Mpana 9. Lale Mapyoyisa 10. Paseka Ramosebetsi 11. Mzwakele Letailana 12. Bongani Maqakalana 13. Fumdweko Mpokhi 14. Thembinkosi Miyco 15. Yadisa Fleni 16. Zilindile Mahashe 17. Thulanyane Julius Thuntsi 18. Magwiji Joseph Fundakubi 19. Sive Nombewu 20. Mbonseni Fezile 21. Masilo Piet Madia 22. Mayasa Makyaya 23. Rapakane Samuel Machake 24. Muzikisi Mseno 25. Mzudumile Halayi 26. Zwebhe Mkoco 27. Lungisile Lutshetu 28. Khoale Simphiwe 29. Pelisa Ndzelu 30. Mahau Napo 31. Khaliphile Mdiya 32. Maxhego Koli 33. Sikumbuzo Mthenthwa 34. Siyabomsa Velaphi 35. Mqomseni Nsethu 36. Andile Ghemese 37. Steven Mthumzi Lois 38. Mntunje Wilson Febane 39. Bolompane Ntho 40. 41. Sibogile Mfazwe 42. Emmanuel Pitso Mpojane 43. Kgosi Pyatedi 44. Malefetsane Kama 45. Thabans Sediadia 46. Samuel Motlatsi Molise 47. Mkhuluwa Gela 48. Obiya Moiolo 49. Bolokang Zebulon Mosetlhane 50. Stene Clement Khoali 51. Loyiso Jako 52. Isaac Zwelivumile Sotshangane 53. Lefu Senatla 54. Edwin Masita Masunyana 55. 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