The miners face charges related to the crimes committed in the days leading up to 16 August 2012.

JOHANNESBURG - The trial of 19 mineworkers who have been charged with crimes related to the Marikana massacre has been postponed to November.

The miners face charges of murder, robbery and malicious damage to property related to the crimes committed in the days leading up to 16 August 2012 when 34 miners were shot and killed by police.

Their lawyers have been pushing for the charges to be withdrawn.

Attorney Andries Nkome says today the miners appeared briefly in the North West High Court.

"We agreed it be remanded to 7 November because we made representation to the DPP to the effect that the case they have against our clients is quite weak and they should consider withdrawing even before the matter goes on trial."