The former North West Deputy Police Commissioner, General Mzondase Mpembe, together with five other police officers appeared before the High Court of South Africa, NW Division on Monday.
The six are facing five counts of murder, attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice and contravening the Commission’s Act by giving false information to the Marikana Commission of Enquiry.
Their reappearance emanates from the five murders in Marikana on 13 August 2012 during a wage strike by Lonmin mine workers. The five deceased include two police officers and three civilians.
Several key witnesses have already testified when the matter appeared at the high court in October 2020. Among those were a Crime Scene Expert from the police, a CCTV Operator from Lonmin Mines and a Videographer from the police.
The court went to recess following the defence team cross-examining Colonel Joseph Merafe, Unit Commander in the Public Order Policing in Rustenburg.
The case is set to continue until Friday, 30 July 2021 and the state is expected to call on more witnesses during the course of the trial.
