Freed miners give grim details of shootings

03/09/2012 Released Lonmin mine worker Nkosibongile Momaphela celebrate with his sister Nomfundo Jali after he was released along with 161 other miners at Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court, Pretoria. Picture: Phill Magakoe

03/09/2012 Released Lonmin mine worker Nkosibongile Momaphela celebrate with his sister Nomfundo Jali after he was released along with 161 other miners at Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court, Pretoria. Picture: Phill Magakoe

Published Sep 4, 2012

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North West - Marikana miners who were released from custody on Monday have alleged they were chased and shot by police officers long after the initial shooting that was published or broadcast by the media.

They said police officers chased and fired at them with live rounds, while others fired at them side-on as they marched.

The 162 miners were freed on Monday after the charges of murder and attempted murder were provisionally withdrawn against all 270 miners in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court. The miners were released on free bail.

The rest of the miners are to be released when their residential addresses have been confirmed.

This follows the announcement made on Sunday by the acting national director of public prosecutions that the murder and attempted murder charges would be provisionally withdrawn and that the miners would be released on free bail.

Friends and relatives of the arrested miners came in their numbers to see their relatives and to welcome them after their release.

Although there was jubilation outside the court when the miners were released, the relatives of those who had not been released were saddened that they would not see them yet.

Miners who were specifically asked about the events that preceded their arrests described in detail how they saw fellow miners die in front of them.

One, Pakatsa Mpele, said a group of miners had eventually been cornered by the police and shot at close range.

“Look, a lot of things happened there that I cannot even say to you, because they make my heart boil when I think about them. Most of them happened even before the police shootings.

“When we were in custody we saw footage on television, but most of the things that happened were not there. There were police officers who were wearing army uniform shooting at us from the sides.

“I remember one of my colleagues being shot from behind, he lay on the floor screaming ‘Banqetile (They have finished me)’,” said Mpele.

He said he could not believe he was still alive when he saw fellow miners lying dead on the ground.

“We were actually cornered by police. We only saw them as we were running back when the other police started to shoot,” he said.

Mpele said he would not go back to work until the R12 500 miners were demanding had been agreed to.

Nkosibongile Momaphela, who is from the Eastern Cape, said they spent their time in custody praying to be released and for the miners who died.

“In jail we could see the videos being played on television, but the videos do not show how people were chased and shot by the police,” he said.

“We all ran back when the shooting was taking place, but there were other police who surrounded us.

“The videos did not show how police shot at us and kicked us to the ground before we were arrested.

“We were made to lie down on the floor when we were arrested while others were lying on the ground.”

Nomfanelo Jali was happy that his brother was released, but she is looking for another of her brothers, whom she last saw on the day of the Marikana shooting.

She said she had enquired at all the police stations where the miners were held and had checked at the mortuaries, to no avail.

“I have looked everywhere, but I cannot find him anywhere. He was at work attending the meeting when the shooting happened.

“I have been coming here since last week hoping that maybe they forgot him at the police station or that maybe there was something wrong with the paperwork, but he is still not here.”

Nceba Maqhaga was among the people who were disappointed when their relatives were not released. He said he was certain that his uncle, Funisile Feleva, was in custody as he had called home to inform his wife in the Eastern Cape that he had been arrested.

“It’s hard to sleep at night, because we don’t know whether he has food and water wherever he’s being kept. The only thing he said was that he had been arrested by the police. We have not seen him yet.

“I think he is one of those whose addresses they are still trying to verify,” said Maqhaga.

He said he was relieved that some of the miners had been released, as it gave him hope that his uncle might be freed before the end of the week.

Although arrangements had been made for the miners to be transported by the police back to Marikana, the men jumped into taxis that were waiting for them outside the court.

 

* Only 145 of about 270 people arrested in connection with the August 16 shooting at the Marikana mine are Lonmin employees.

After two-and-a-half weeks of requesting the names of the arrested, a list was sent . The list is numbered up to 270, but contains only 267 names. Numbers 261, 263 and 264 are skipped. Number 40 is illegible on the fax.

Police said they had arrested 259 people in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, that 34 were dead and 78 were in hospital. They have since arrested some of the injured as they were discharged from hospital.

Lonmin spokeswoman Sue Vey said they had so far identified only 145 on the list as their employees.

 

1. Vayeke Sivuka

2. Tsekang Tshepo Moletsane

3. Melilizwe Boco

4. Silungile Bosanathi

5. Mthetheleli Gunguthwa

6. Mjolankosiphona

7. Simpiwe Kkhuthani

8. Lesala Mpana

9. Lale Mapyoyisa

10. Paseka Ramosebetsi

11. Mzwakele Letailana

12. Bongani Maqakalana

13. Fumdweko Mpokhi

14. Thembinkosi Miyco

15. Yadisa Fleni

16. Zilindile Mahashe

17. Thulanyane Julius Thuntsi

18. Magwiji Joseph Fundakubi

19. Sive Nombewu

20. Mbonseni Fezile

21. Masilo Piet Madia

22. Mayasa Makyaya

23. Rapakane Samuel Machake

24. Muzikisi Mseno

25. Mzudumile Halayi

26. Zwebhe Mkoco

27. Lungisile Lutshetu

28. Khoale Simphiwe

29. Pelisa Ndzelu

30. Mahau Napo

31. Khaliphile Mdiya

32. Maxhego Koli

33. Sikumbuzo Mthenthwa

34. Siyabomsa Velaphi

35. Mqomseni Nsethu

36. Andile Ghemese

37. Steven Mthumzi Lois

38. Mntunje Wilson Febane

39. Bolompane Ntho

40.

41. Sibogile Mfazwe

42. Emmanuel Pitso Mpojane

43. Kgosi Pyatedi

44. Malefetsane Kama

45. Thabans Sediadia

46. Samuel Motlatsi Molise

47. Mkhuluwa Gela

48. Obiya Moiolo

49. Bolokang Zebulon Mosetlhane

50. Stene Clement Khoali

51. Loyiso Jako

52. Isaac Zwelivumile Sotshangane

53. Lefu Senatla

54. Edwin Masita Masunyana

55. Simthembile Khwati

56. Jacob Mokobori

57. Siyabuleluza Seokocye Valamba

58. Mkhuseli Xhonxho

59. Shadrack Zandisile Mtshamba

60. Bulelani Tsontsoyi

61. Sphiwe Mbuzi

62. Siyabulela Mlelo

63. Caswell Ksobotlho

64. Khumbuzile Siwele

65. Sithembele Ntakana

66. Molapodi Moepane

67. Nyingwa Mkhuseli

68. Timello Petrus Mohami

69. Sefuli Ephraim Moholotsela

70. Ndunguza Sandulele

71. Letsaba Augustinus Mahleke

72. Aubrey Zandile Seko

73. Lunseko Michael Maxixi

74. Malepetsane Lesalalesala

75. Monde Tia

76. Sibusiso Ntubeza

77. Simfumene Ntenteni

78. Bongani Xhaliswa

79. Lennox Mzimasi Name

80. Tsholoba Xabisile

81. Emmanuel Maqhabasia Raisa

82. NkosiphendulGGe Sidayi

83. Skosana Lomdane

84. Gugulethu Mbungwa

85. Mchochisi Makhosonke

86. Silimangele Mvakalelwa

87. Nkhetse Bernard Lebajoa

88. Stanford Ndleleni

89. Mbusele Kwedlisa

90. Kelebakae Makgetha

91. Bonkosi Mxholo

92. Amos Yolisile Honxo

93. Elvis Buhle Mabodli

94. Lefu Michael Molala

95. Thembinkosi Nevana

96. Mzunkosi Dlungwana

97. Mlandeli Myalwana

98. Vabaza Ngcisini

99. Sipho Dube

100. Tandisa Ngomane

101. Funisile Feleva

102. Mapota Alfred Makhaya

103. Fumanekile Dabalele

104. Ayabonga Mthimkhulu

105. Xibisi Makosadi

106. Bongile Siyolo

107. Goodman Ndyandya

108. Fono Thandikhaya

109. Mzonzimo Nicholas Lila

110. Zwelihle Nomkula

111. Mongezi Tshotwana

112. Phumase Ngwenyama

113. Tebogo Tsnwaedi

114. Tom Magwa

115. Mandla Zalisile

116. Nkosibongile Nomaphela

117. David Tsietsie Sepheko

118. Thobizile Khesa

119. Lefa Maswetsa

120. Phumelele Molse

121. Paulos Thobingunye

122. Mohlouoa Everret Meteane

123. Lulama Tukutela

124. David Machesele

125. Batata Lonie

126. Siphiliba Ndlodovu

127. Christopher Mvikelwa

128. Zwelemfundo Manyiki

129. Khanyisile Mhulempi

130. Xolani Boki

131. Makhambo Tholakele

132. Phomotso Motema

133. Bengi Themba Matiwane

134. Jim Nlsikela

135. Lebohang Mokone

136. Sera Jeremia Makaja

137. Msebenzi Moyoai

138. Ngqulana Aviwe

139. Kwebela Mehlabudi

140. Cosmos Maltlelebe

141. Lunqane Mabutyane

142. Yonela Mnqayi

143. Moeketsi Mogale

144. Ntsikelelo Khutuka

145. Sikonati Naudi

146. Mokete Nthio Jacob

147. Aaron Mtudisi

148. Mkhuseli Boswana

149. Phumulani Bheswa

150. Sibusisi Konco

151. Mvoti Semeute

152. David Mpakatsa Mbele

153. Dlakela Maleika

154. Lungiza Mzuluzi

155. Molemo Ernest Lemea

156. Lwandile Mcinga

157. Thabo Mathaba

158. Theko Mbitekane

159. Mangesi Mpisana

160. Lizwi Nkuku

161. Gcobani Sydwell Dlepu

162. Mfaniseni Norman Ngwenya

163. Lougezile Ntembe

164. Makosonke Shwalakhe

165. Fusi Mohale

166. Sicelo Mavuka

167. Mlandeli Myazwana

168. Mphoto Kgare

169. Zangempi Sayisayi

170. Motebang Tsoenki

171. Makalo Sinapiuyane

172. Paris Madikizela

173. Andile Dinga

174. Siphamaudla Bululu

175. Dodal Nywane

176. Unathi Emmanuel Keuasi

177. Job Nkoebe

178. Madlambe Mbongeni

179. Tlhakanyane Ktalele

180. Sibeko Ngiyana

181. Mpho Benjamin Nkete

182. Bonginkos Phambanisa

183. Leboa Molati

184. Mbolegeni Zewele

185. Malusi Nkonyana

186. Mbuzeli Noontsha

187. Sahlulisile Cuqa

188. Simon Bfana Kurata

189. Mpelanzwe Gqibisa

190. Sigagawe Joseph Jalisile

191. Mcebisi Memela

192. Amos Mdumiseni

193. Thembelani Njobe

194. Mlamli Mkhala

195. Thabang Hansi

196. Mawande Same

197. Motobelo Jospeh Ramotokolo

198. Khutu Ngodeli

199. Gcinuyise Ndzuzu

200. Johannes Lebuajoang Mokoena

201. Thabo Ntai

202. Johannes Mashabela

203. Sonwabile Phingilili

204. Jabulani Ndubani

205. Simthembile Nomquphu

206. Vuyo Dyani

207. Thomas Maphini

208. Kojang Richard Sekobolo

209. Themba Jali

210. Tsokolo Victor Malefane

211. Mzwekhaya Siyila

212. Kgotso Ramokepu

213. Simfumene Tende

214. Dawid Tanki Tsotsotso

215. Mzobandile Mthukeni

216. Zolani Magayiyana

217. Frans Butseke

218. Mbulelo Matafeni

219. Makalang Albert Lenka

220. Moatlhodi Seleke

221. Mabosetsa Manyahole

222. Onke Sobhudula

223. Sameul Mawuso

224. Lebogang Ramochele

225. Mzimasi Tiya

226. Bokang Matuka

227. Lungelo Futiana

228. Tebogo Hlakantso

229. Mlindi Kambela

230. Bulelani Gqonyane

231. Albert Maphini

232. Mbochelwa Sibecqa

233. Archibald Mataphi

234. Eric Sekini

235. Thanyane Machabe

236. Luyanda Nyangiwe

237. Tisele Mpaki

238. Mtutuse Mbete

239. Pheello Malukle

240. Meshack Mzilikazi

241. Sebidi Thubeka

242. Simphiwe Bongani Mbuthuma

243. Sifokoxwana Gqonyana

244. Michael Nkoenyane

245. David Tsenase

246. Mzumzima Eric Rabi

247. Thembile Mtsheketshe

248. Mgudlwa Lulama Melixolo

249. George Moditsaotsile Mosikare

250. Khanyile Magxuebelele

251. Mbothana Maneli

252. Sphindile Nqwili

253. Mpumelelo Qwede

254. David Kadi

255. Joseph Seleke

256. Sbongile Vincent Sompa

257. Nkosivikile Nqwaga

258. Jomba Monwabisi

259. Seitebatso Phushudi

260. Paulus Fikizolo

261.

262. Botho Mantuse

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265. Zwelinzima Tekemane

266. Machatane Neo Edward

267. Zama Dyantyi

268. Thembisile Madotheni

269. Mziwakhe Sikrokro

270. Luvo Mgcotyelwa

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