Trial of former North West Police Commissioner, co-accused resumes

The trial of former North West deputy police commissioner William Mpembe, retired Colonel Salmon Vermaak, Constable Nkosana Mguye, Warrant Officer Masilo Mogale, Warrant Officer Katlego Joseph Sekgweleya and Khazamola Phillip Makhubela, will continue in the High Court in Mahikeng on Monday

This relates to their involvement in the deaths of three mineworkers and two police officials near a railway line in Marikana in August 2012.

The state is arguing that Mpembe who was the overall commander on the day confronted a group of mine workers and told them to put down their weapons.

Stun grenades were then fired into the crowd and mine workers turned on police, killing two of them and seriously injuring another.

The commander of the Public Order Police unit in Rustenburg Lieutenant Colonel Omphile Merafe earlier testified that there was no need to fire stun grenade or tear gas as mine workers were walking peacefully while they were escorted by police.

The others accused allegedly shot at mine workers who had taken a police firearm and radio.

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