Arrest Marikana killer cops, miners demand

The 259 miners arrested after the Marikana massacre want to know why the police officers who shot dead 34 of their co-workers have not been arrested.

Advocate Lesego Mmusi, who represents the miners, argued in the Garankuwa Magistrate's Court yesterday for their release and for the case against them to be struck off the court roll.

Mmusi requested that any court action be halted until President Jacob Zuma's judicial commission of inquiry had completed its investigations and made recommendations on who should be charged with the shootings.

He argued against any further postponements of the men's bail application, saying if the government was willing to wait for the commission of inquiry before police were arrested then the miners should be given the same privilege and be freed.

• Lonmin said yesterday only 7.7% of its workers at the mine reported for duty. The figure has been dropping following reports of intimidation by striking miners.