They knew bloodshed was likely, and yet South Africa’s police commanders launched their operation against striking miners.
killing and confrontation at Marikana in 2012 into a massacre
The National Prosecuting Authority has initiated prosecutions for some of the killings that took place before that day. But 10 years after the incident, the NPA still has not indicated whether it willSeveral South African Police Service ‘tactical units’ — among them the National Intervention Unit and the Tactical Response Team — were deployed at Marikana. They were armed with R5s, a high-velocity rifle developed by the country’s arms industry for use in the border wars of the 1970s and 1980s.
Public Order Police units equipped with rubber bullets, teargas and stun grenades were involved in the operation. But policethey could defend themselves effectively if attacked by the strikers. The deployment of the tactical units with their R5s was intended to ensure that the police could get the upper hand if the public order officials were attacked.
It’s widely believed that the decision to launch it that day emanated from a political directive approved by police leaders the night before. Nevertheless, Mbombo was informed of the risk of serious injury but insisted the operation go ahead. According to the Marikana Commission report, the provincial commissioner was warned that the action “would involve bloodshed. She reconciled herself to the fact that this was so merely asking for an assurance that it would be kept to the minimum.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Africa: Finance Minister Accused of Sexual Assault - South African News Briefs, August 15, 2022
Read more »
Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri inducted as brand ambassador for South Africa | ChannelFrom a new ambassadorship to a new home – Ndavi Nokeri has had a busy start to the week.
Read more »
South Africa: Survey Shows ANC Support Dwindling - South African News Briefs, August 16, 2022Survey Shows ANC Support Dwindling - South African News Briefs,... allafrica: SouthAfrica
Read more »
Plans to build 2 new universities and more colleges in South AfricaThe Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande said the Department of Higher Education and Training’s plans to build two new universities is underway.
Read more »
South Sudanese Journalist Released After 8 Days in DetentionA female journalist who was arrested in South Sudan's capital earlier this month while covering a protest over high food prices has been released from detention.
Read more »
South Africans, Maps Maponyane and SA’s ‘black mermaid’ have an important message for youTo drive home the importance of water conservation, Maponyane travelled to Iceland in an attempt to find water untouched by man while Ndhlovu completed a gruelling free dive to clear Cape Town's ocean floor of plastic
Read more »