Man claims wrongful arrest after mine protest

AN INNOCENT man was arrested last week with protesting Gold One Modder East miners, according to his lawyer.

Lundi Dinwayo was walking to a nearby shop to buy airtime when he was rounded up with 12 miners who were protesting outside the mine.

“The strike was illegal because there was an interdict against [the miners],” according to lawyer Tommy Morotolo.

During the protest, stun grenades were thrown to disperse the miners. This was when some innocent people were arrested, said Morotolo.

In the ensuing chaos, a vehicle was damaged.

“Dinwayo can sue for unlawful arrest and detention and possibly [a] malicious intention,” he warned.

The 26-year-old has not been released because his address and story still had to be verified.

However, seven miners were released after their were confirmed.

Morotolo said free bail was granted because the miners had not been working for a few months now.

“They have been released on their own recognisance.”

The miners were arrested last week for public violence after they protested outside the Gold One Modder East mine.

Their action for started on June 4.

Two of the 13 held were women. They were freed yesterday.

Six miners were to appear in the Springs Magistrate’s Court today.

Outside court yesterday, the released miners cried and hugged their supporters.

Police spokesman LieutenantColonel Lungelo Dlamini has confirmed that security guards using rubber bullets shot at four miners during the protest.

The miners were charged with malicious damage to property.

A case of attempted murder against the security company is still under investigation.