Police say they have made a breakthrough in the killings in Marikana near Rustenburg in the North West. Police Minister Fikile Mbalula, who was accompanied by National Police Commissioner Kehla Sithole, has told the media that officers arrested at least six kingpins in Marikana and three others in the Eastern Cape.
Since 2012, more than 20 people have been killed in Marikana. The growing rivalry between The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM )is believed to be behind the killings.
Mbalula says the arrested suspects include, union leaders who have been ordering hits on rivals. Mbalula says the suspects are expected to appear at the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
“There’s been conflict in that particular union AMCU, which resulted in the gunning of people, prominent leaders, nine of them died. What we are reporting to you is that we have arrested not just trigger-pullers, also the masterminds, who some of them are politicians, union leaders. We cannot say who are they, you will see them in court. There are gun hired ready assassin who are already arrested. And last night six people have been arrested,” he said.
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We are reporting to the people of Rustenburg that we have progress in arresting criminals alleged to be involved in the killings of union leaders.
Personally, I’m motivated by the arrest of conspirators – not just trigger pullers but people who allegedly planned all this m. pic.twitter.com/dqA25qq46m
— Min of Police: Mr Fearfokkol (@MbalulaFikile) February 11, 2018
