The 12 men arrested for illegal mining activities and possession of unlicensed firearms claim they have been subjected to police brutality.
The 12 men who were arrested in a sting operation by a joint task force last Wednesday (13 August) appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Friday (15 August).The men who appeared before Judge Nerina Govender were split into two groups – five were being accused of robbery and seven of possession of unlicensed firearms. Only three of the men are South African citizens and the rest are from Lesotho.
One suspect said he had difficulty hearing after being hit on the ear by police while a second said he could not write his name since his hand was injured while in police custody. The suspects also allege that they were not allowed to contact their families.
The men each face a two-year sentence or R40 000 fine if found guilty.
There shouldn’t be no fine to such criminals. They must rot in jail