Five suspects who were arrested in connection with the death of six mineworkers after a bus carrying 50 Modikwa Platinum Mine employees was set alight at Driekop outside Burgersfort on Monday, are expected to appear in the Mecklenburg Magistrate’s Court today (Thursday).
Provincial Police Corporate Communications Head Motlafela Mojapelo indicated that the suspects were arrested yesterday (Wednesday) following intense investigations and they are facing six charges of murder, attempted murder and malicious damage to property. Mojapelo said the suspects were nabbed at different locations.
He added that the process to identify six deceased has already commenced and an appropriate pronouncement will be made in due course.
This after Provincial Police Commissioner Nneke Ledwaba has assembled a high level team of investigators comprising of members of the Organized Crime Unit, Limpopo Hawks and the Crime Intelligence Unit to track down the suspects. A R500 000 reward for information leading to the arrests were also offered by Police.
Mojapelo indicated that a bus from Segweka Bus Services collected Modikwa Platinum Mine night shift workers between 20:00 and 21:00 in the area. When the bus stopped at Driekop two suspects got onto the bus and reportedly dropped what seemed the have been a petrol bomb before fleeing the scene, according to Mojapelo. He added that the bus was quickly engulfed in flames and occupants tried to escape through the windows. Twenty-eight suffered burn wounds and were taken to a nearby hospital while four men and two women burnt beyond recognition inside the bus.
In the meantime the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Limpopo has strongly condemned the attack. In a statement Sanco Provincial Deputy Chairperson Judy Mphelane said they condemned in the strongest terms the attack on the bus and conveyed their condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones and wished the injured a resilient recovery.
“We are indeed puzzled and remain shocked as to what might have motivated this heinous act on the bus transporting our community members and bread winners to the belly of the earth at Modikwa Platinum Mine. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this shocking incident.”
Sanco Limpopo urged all peace-loving citizens to join them in condemning the barbaric act of violence. They further commended the Police for the swift arrest of the five suspects and expressed the hope that the arrests would bring some comfort to the families of the six deceased and seriously injured mine workers.
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YOLANDE NEL
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RC Myburgh
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