South Africa's justice minister has demanded an explanation after 270 miners were charged with the murder of their colleagues who were shot by police. The National Prosecutions Authority charged the Lonmin platinum mine workers under the 1956 common purpose doctrine relied on by the apartheid regime to protect white rule.
The decision has "induced a sense of shock, panic and confusion" among South Africans,
Under their constitution, the justice minister "must exercise final responsibility over the prosecuting authority".
Police shot dead 34 miners two weeks ago during a strike at the Marikana mine, owned by Lonmin, the world's third largest platinum producer, sparking a national outcry.
Police said they opened fire after being threatened by a crowd of protesters who advanced towards them, armed with machetes.
The 270 miners, six of whom remain in hospital, were arrested during the protests.
They were charged on Thursday, with the prosecutors arguing they were part of the crowd whose actions provoked the police into opening fire.
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