Napoleon Webster Held Behind Bars for 200 Days
Napoleon, along with 12 others, is charged with the murder of an ANC councilor in early December 2016. All men deny involvement in the murder. Several witnesses have testified that Napoleon was in another part of Marikana when the crime took place.
This Sunday will mark 100 days since the arrest of Napoleon Webster. The bail hearing lasted an excruciating 88 days with approximately 20 court appearances with several postponements being made due to scheduling issues, failure of court equipment and lack of resources available for the smooth and speedy administration of justice at the court.
The Marikana Support Campaign has stated from the outset that the arrests are motivated by the protection of the mining companies and politicians associated with them. State resources are being used to intimidate and silence activists based in Marikana, especially Napoleon who has called for:
- Legal justice towards the victims of the 2012 Lonmin Marikana massacre;
- Lonmin to honor commitments regarding living conditions of mineworkers and the local community as set out in their Social Labour Plan;
- Cyril Ramaphosa to acknowledge he has blood on his hands in relation to the 2012 Lonmin massacre; and
- Tharisa mine to take responsibility for the displacement of a section of the Marikana community for them to conduct their mining operations.
Free Napoleon Webster Campaign