Marikana deaths: cops’ trials set

The North West High Court has set trial dates for former North West provincial deputy commissioner Major-General William Mpembe and eight other police officers for alleged shootings in Marikana shortly before the massacre of striking miners on August 16, 2012.

The dates were set during their brief apppearance at the high court sitting in Mogwase yesterday.

The former deputy commissioner, who is now head of security at a mining house in Marikana, is accused of the murders of Semi Jokanisi, Tembelakhe Mati, warrant officer Hendrik Tsietsi Monene and warrant officer Sello Ronnie Lepaauku.

He will go on trial in the North West High Court, sitting in Mogwase, on August 12 for these four alleged murders.

He is also charged alongside retired colonel Salmon Johannes Vermaak, 53, Constable Nkosana Mguye, 38, warrant officer Masilo Mogale, 49, warrant officer Katlego, Joseph Sekgweleya, 39, and Khazamola Phillip Makhubela, 49, for the alleged murder of Pumzile Sokhanyile.

Mpembe, 55, will go on trial on June 10 in another case on charges of contravention of the Commission Act, contravention of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act and defeating the ends of justice.

In this case, he was charged with Gideon van Zyl, Dingaan Madoda and Oupa Pule, who are all out on a warning.

Van Zyl, Madoda and Pule are accused of defeating the ends of justice and contravention of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act.

They allegedly failed to disclose that mine worker Modisaotsile van Wyk Sagalala died in custody while being transported to Lonmin premises on August 16, 2012. – ANA

Former provincial deputy commissioner will go on trial in the North West High Court, sitting in Mogwase, in August for four alleged murders.