Tebogo Msimanga |
The Stilfontein Regional Court in North West province postponed the case against eighty-seven(87) suspects who are facing charges related to illegal mining at shaft 2 in Orkney, to 06 April 2022, for further investigations.
North West National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the defence attorney has requested a postponement to negotiate with the state, on undisclosed aspects of the case.
“The state has also drawn new charges against the accused, who are all in police custody after they abandoned bail owing to their illegal status in South Africa.” They are now charged with six(6) counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, conspiracy to commit robbery, illegal mining, possession of automatic firearms, attempted murder and contravening the immigration act.
Police reports indicate that eight of the accused were wounded and six shot dead during a shootout with members of the Special Task Force during an intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday 20 October 2021.
Mamothame added that the eight injured have since been discharged from the hospital and are now in police custody. The suspects will remain in police custody until the matter is finalised.
