MEDIA BRIEFING NOTES BY THE MINISTER OF POLICE, Mr FIKILE MBALULA, MP ON SUNDAY, 11

FEBRUARY 2018 AT RUSTENBURG POLICE STATION

National Commissioner, General Sitole

Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Motswenyane

All Deputy Provincial Commissioners present here

Members of the media

11 February 2018

We are here in Restunburg, a stone throw away from Marikana, where in August 2012, the lives of
44 people were lost.

Sadly, the killings did not stop there, they continued away from glare of cameras and media and
spilled over to neighboring areas of Phokeng and Mooinooi.

Today we are here to report on work done by our police to bring about Law and Order in the area of
Marikana which has been plagued by murders and attempted murders.

In 2014 it was suspected there had been a union rivalry that apparently came as result of a violent
strike actions at Lonmin. As part of intervention at that time, we embarked on various operations
including Platinum Belt Operation in 2014. Subsequently, arrests were effected in some of the cases
and suspects were convicted in some cases while investigation into other cases are still underway.

As an added intervention, Mine Crime Combatting Forums (MCCFs) were established country-wide
at all Clusters where there are mines. This was done to ensure safety and security within mining
communities in a coordinated manner including through participation of all role-players and that
also led to stabilisation of the situation particularly in the Platinum Belt.

However, between May and October 2017, 11 cases of murder and attempted murder were
reported. Of these cases, 9 have lost their lives and 2 have had near death experiences. Majority of
these victims are reported to have been members of the Association of Mineworkers and
Construction Union (AMCU) while one was unemployed.
Of those incidents, six cases of murder were reported in Phokeng. Two cases of murder and one of
attempted murder were reported in Marikana. In Mooinooi, a case of attempted murder was
reported. Following a thorough and responsive investigation three suspects were nabbed in
Mooinooi case, but are all on bail.

As Citizens we can't live side by side with criminals, we must stamp the authority of the state and
protect our people. Last night , the 10 of February 2018, police embarked on a “Take Down”
Operation where six suspects were arrested in Mooinooi, Wonderkop and Idutywa in the Eastern
Cape. These suspects have been the brains behind the killings of Marikana people and surrounding
areas. We have also between Friday and today, arrested a total of 77 suspects in the Rustenburg
Cluster, inter alia for robbery, murder, rape, car-hijacking and assault with intent to do Grievous
Bodily Harm (GBH).

These arrests are a clear indication that we are making inroads and that the long arm of the law is
catching up with dangerous criminals. We mean it when we say we will not live side by side with
criminals, I am happy to announce that Anele Zonke who was arrested in Marikana for two separate
murder cases committed in Rustenburg and Marikana in July 2014, is currently serving two life
terms. He, together with other accused persons, are facing another charge of murder and they are
due to appear in court on Monday, 12 February 2018.

We would like to urge members of the community to continue working with the police. Fight against
crime is in full swing. We will not tire until our people feel safe in their streets.

I thank you.