Marikana shooting: SA lawyers appeal to Zuma

the miners was dim as the president has refused to interfere in judicial affairs, said sources familiar with the case.
The 270 miners were arrested in clashes with police last month. The clashes, which claimed the lives of 34 miners, resulted from violence sparked by a wage protest at the Lonmin Platinum Mine in Marikana, the North West Province.
Ten people, including two police officers, were killed prior to police intervention.
On Thursday, the National Prosecuting Authority brought charges of murder, attempted murder, public violence, illegal gathering, possession of dangerous weapons and possession of firearms and ammunition against the detained miners.
But the charges face fierce criticism. The miners’ lawyers threatened to file a urgent high court application to compel Zuma to release the miners if the miners were not freed by the deadline.
Referring to the threat, presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement that the president “cannot accede to the demand.”
“President Zuma will not interfere in the work of the Marikana Commission or any other processes, including the prosecution of persons associated with the tragedy,” Maharaj said.
Earlier, South Africa Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Jeff Radebe on Friday challenged the NPA move and demanded an explanation on the decision.
“Following recent National Prosecuting Authority’s decision to charge the Lonmin miners with 44 counts of murder relating to the Marikana shooting incident, I have requested the Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions to furnish me with a report explaining the rationale behind such a decision,” Radebe said in a statement.
Radebe, who is also the deputy chairperson of the ruling African National Congress, said there is no doubt that the NPA’s decision has induced a sense of “shock, panic and confusion” to the whole nation. — Xinhua.