Murder charges dropped against S. African miners
- 12 years ago
South African prosecutors are dropping the charges against the miners.
SOUNDBITE: ACTING National Director of Public Prosecutions, Nomgcobo Jiba saying:
"The murder charge against the current 270 suspects, which was provisional anyway, will be formerly withdrawn provisionally in court on their next court appearance "
From the start, the charges were controversial. The miners were charged with murder after 34 of their colleges were killed by gunfire as the group protested outside a platinum mine, even though the shots were actually fired by police. Prosecutors cited "common purpose" when they first brought the charges.
The miners were charged with murder after 34 of their colleges were killed by gunfire as the group protested outside a platinum mine, even though the shots were actually fired by police.
SOUNDBITE: ACTING National Director of Public Prosecutions, Nomgcobo Jiba saying:
"I wish to emphasize that the decision to institute murder charges against the miners is based on sound principle, which has not only been part of our legal system for decades, but continues to remain relevant and applicable in our democratic dispensation."
Prosecutors warned that the miners' release is conditional pending further investigation.
SOUNDBITE: ACTING National Director of Public Prosecutions, Nomgcobo Jiba saying:
"The murder charge against the current 270 suspects, which was provisional anyway, will be formerly withdrawn provisionally in court on their next court appearance "
From the start, the charges were controversial. The miners were charged with murder after 34 of their colleges were killed by gunfire as the group protested outside a platinum mine, even though the shots were actually fired by police. Prosecutors cited "common purpose" when they first brought the charges.
The miners were charged with murder after 34 of their colleges were killed by gunfire as the group protested outside a platinum mine, even though the shots were actually fired by police.
SOUNDBITE: ACTING National Director of Public Prosecutions, Nomgcobo Jiba saying:
"I wish to emphasize that the decision to institute murder charges against the miners is based on sound principle, which has not only been part of our legal system for decades, but continues to remain relevant and applicable in our democratic dispensation."
Prosecutors warned that the miners' release is conditional pending further investigation.