The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, said that the case against Mpembe and five others facing charges of murder and attempted murder has been postponed to Monday 26 July 2021. He further stated that the postponement was granted after the state's request, due to the ill health of a state witness and one of the defence attorneys.

Meanwhile, OFM News previously reported that Mpembe was the overall commander of the police’s operations on 13 August 2012, when a group of Marikana 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 allegedly failed to report the death of a mineworker in police custody.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi