34 mine workers were shot and killed by police on 16 August 2012 during an unprotected strike. Following the deaths of miners, the establishment of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry made recommendations for law enforcement entities to institute criminal charges against the perpetrators, where evidence is available. North West NPA spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, said other recommendations were that criminal investigations had to be instituted to bring the perpetrators to book.

“Having noted the litigious nature and complexity of the incident, all role players have been in constant consultation to fast-track the process of completing investigations and where possible institute criminal charges.”

It was on the 16th of August 2012 when the government of the ANC massacred mine workers in Marikana for demanding only R12500 wage pic.twitter.com/hKYbgqtGw3

— Julius_S_Malema (@Julius_Sello_) August 16, 2023

Mamothame said the Farlam Commission recommended to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, to investigate the killings and decide whether to charge any person or not based on their findings. A team of advocates from the NPA Head Office was assembled to deal with the matter, subsequently relieving the DPP of the responsibility, however in mid-2022, the matter was brought back to the North West Division.

Mamothame further said during that period, the Division at the time was challenged with unfilled vacancies, with limited prosecutors to study the voluminous docket. Necessary resources were however made available, and vacancies were filled.

He added a team of senior state advocates headed by a Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions was then assembled and is currently studying the docket, with ongoing consultations with IPID also taking place, to fast-track the finalisation of reaching a decision.

OFM News