The Rustenburg Magistrate Court in the North West postponed to July 24 the case of three illegal miners Danny Mashaba, Samson Machingera and Raphael Movela who were arrested for trespassing at the Sibanye Stilwaters Operation Belt 4 in Marikana.
Provincial spokesperson Colonel Adele Myburgh explains that the accused were arrested earlier this week after security officers responded to a sounding alarm at the shaft. Upon investigation, they saw a group of people, who were walking out of the gate of the disused shaft. The accused were arrested for trespassing.
Upon seeing security officers, the group ran back into the shaft and left three dead bodies behind, which were found fastened to self-made stretchers. Furthermore, four males were arrested. Out of the four two were taken to hospital of which one was treated and after being discharged he was detained, while one is still admitted under police guard. The police have also opened an inquest docket for investigation of the three bodies and the deceased are yet to be identified.
