The trial against former North West deputy police commissioner William Mpembe is expected to continue later on Monday at the North West high court in Mahikeng.
Mpembe and his five co-accused are facing charges of murder in connection with the death of two police officers and two mineworkers on August 13, 2012.
Mpembe‚ Salmon Vermaak‚ Nkosana Mguye‚ Collin Mogale‚ Katlego Sekgweleya‚ and Khazamola Makhubela‚ are accused of murder‚ attempted murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Mpembe is charged with the murders of Thembalakhe Mati‚ Semi Jokanisi‚ Hendrick Monene and Sello Lepaku‚ while the others are charged with the murder of Phumzile Sokhanyile. Mpembe further faces six counts of attempted murder.
The video below gives the background of the trial:
He was the overall commander of the police’s operations on August 13, 2012, when a group of Lonmin mineworkers marched from Wonderkop to Karee shaft where they wanted to stop workers from going to work.
On their return to Wonderkop, they met with approximately 70 police officials under Mpembe’s command.
Mpembe allegedly instructed mineworkers to hand over their weapons and turn back. They allegedly refused and stun grenades were fired.
Workers Thembelakhe Mati and Semi Jokanisi and police officials Hendrick Monene and Sello Lepaaku were killed in the scuffle.
The five other police officials are charged with the murder of Phumzile Sokhanyile.
According to the state’s case, they indiscriminately fired into a crowd of fleeing mineworkers when they saw one had taken a police firearm.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, Mpembe and three other senior police officials were found not guilty for defeating the ends of justice in that they failed to report the death of a mine worker in police custody.
