Phosa: charges against Marikana miners absurd

Florentia Roman

02 September 2012

ANC treasurer general Mathews Phosa says laying charges against the Marikana mineworkers while a commission of inquiry is looking into the matter is, reckless and absurd.

There has been an outcry over murder charges leveled against 270 Lonmin miners arrested after 34 of their colleagues were shot dead by police last month.

Speaking at the handing over the ANC's centenary torch in Hartswater in the Northern Cape yesterday, Phosa said the party’s leadership should use the Marikana tragedy to ask itself why workers had lost faith in the legitimate authorities.