S. Africa miners to face murder charges

South African prosecutors have charged 270 striking workers with murder over the death of 34 fellow miners who were shot by police in a dramatic confrontation caught on videotape.

Update at 9:30 a.m. ET: The miners, who were arrested, have been charged at a magistrate's court in Ga-Rankuwa, about 20 miles north of Pretoria, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

The newspaper quotes National Prosecution Agency spokesman Frank Lesenyego as saying he is not surprised at the state's move to charge the men with the murder of their colleagues, even though police commissioner Riah Phiyega had previously confirmed they were killed by officers.

The Telegraph says he calls the charges a legal technicality:

"In a situation where there are suspects that confront members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and a shooting takes place resulting in the fatalities of either SAPS or the suspects, those who get arrested, irrespective of whether they shot police members or the police shot them, are charged with murder."

Original posting: The BBC quotes National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Frank Lesenyego as saying the 270 workers would be tried under the "common purpose" doctrine for being part of the crowd of striking miners, some armed, who were confronting police at the Marikana platinum mine on Aug. 16.

"This is under common law, where people are charged with common purpose," he says.

Police opened fire, killing 34 miners and injuring 78.

Police have not been charged because a commission is still investigating the killings, the spokesman tells the BBC.

The shootings caused a national outcry and prompted President Jacob Zuma to interrupt a regional summit and return to South Africa.

He said he was "saddened and dismayed" at the events and promised a quick investigation of the killings.

Source: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/08/s-africa-miners-face-murder-charge-over-police-shootings/1

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