North West Acting Premier, Paul Sebegoe has welcomed the arrest of two men in connection with the attempted murder of a miner at Anglo American Platinum’s Khuseleka 1 shaft near Rustenburg. The pair is expected to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrates Court today.

“We hope that the arrests would send a message to perpetrators of violence associated with the current AMCU strike that there is no place in our society for bullies and those who have no regard for the rule of law,” Acting Premier Sebegoe stressed.

In calling for a settlement to be found to end the month long violent strike, Sebegoe said that acts of violence and intimidation of non-striking workers undermines peace and stability in the mining sector.

According to police two male suspects aged 29 were arrested for attempted murder linked to the ongoing Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union’s (Amcu) protected strike.

Brigadier Thualne Ngubane said a 51-year-old man was on his way to work on 3 February when he was offered a lift in an unknown car with two occupants.

“Upon arrival at the mine, the car parked near a group of picketing and striking mine employees. The victim was allegedly taken into the group,” Ngubane said.

The man was allegedly intimidated and forced to walk to the nearby stalls where he was undressed.

“It is alleged that he was later taken to a dumping site where he was assaulted severely with stones. According to the information, he managed to escape and ran naked towards the shaft where he was rescued by mine security,” he said.

Police were notified of the attack and a case opened. The two were arrested on Tuesday when they handed themselves to police.

SOURCE: South African Official News