Plot to kill union leaders

Two men arrested for the alleged plot to kill the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) leaders have confessed, the Brits Magistrate’s Court heard yesterday.

Warrant Officer Johannes Montsho told the court the two made confessions detailing their involvement in a plot to kill Amcu leaders in Marikana, near Rustenburg in North West.

He was testifying for the state in an opposed bail application of eight men accused of hatching a plan to kill Amcu leaders and to eliminate the union at Lonmin mines in Marikana.

The state alleges that the accused were expelled from Amcu as leaders and the union appointed new leaders, after which the disgruntled group plotted to “take them out of office”.

Prosecutor Cassius Mona asked: “Did the confession statement implicate the accused before this court?”

Montsho replied: “They detailed involvement of everyone.”

The court heard that three hitmen from the Eastern Cape were hired and were to be paid R50 000 for each hit.

Montsho said disgruntled Amcu members held several meetings at various places where it was agreed that they should hire hitmen to kill five identified leaders to make the union weak.

“They said if leaders like Malibongwe Mdazo, Pule, Kwenene and Cindy were killed, their followers will retreat as they were cowards and this would remove Amcu at Lonmin,” he testified.

The men were appearing for the alleged plot to kill Amcu branch chairperson Malibongwe Mdazo.

He was shot on July 22, 2017 at Mooinooi in an attempt to kill him. Mdazo was shot several times and a bullet is lodged in his right arm.

The hearing continues. – ANA

They said if leaders like Mdazo, Pule, Kwenene and Cindy were killed ... this would remove Amcu [from] Lonmin. W/O Johannes Montsho Investigating officer, Saps