Zuma extends date for Marikana inquiry

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has extended the period for the Marikana Commission of Inquiry beyond May, its chairman, Ian Farlam, said yesterday.

“The president is extending this sitting, as it was originally planned to be completed by the end of May, to go beyond that period,” Judge Farlam said.

The commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 44 people during unrest near Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana last year.

On August 16, the South African Police Service (SAPS) shot dead 34 miners. In the preceding week, 10 people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed.

Yesterday marked the 100th day since the commission started its work, operating from the Rustenburg Civic Centre.

Judge Farlam also announced that the commission would be moved from Rustenburg to Centurion from Monday. “I am satisfied with the applications and submissions made for the move to Pretoria. Applicants have articulated how they are required to spend a lot of money, and with tight resources, to be here.”

Dali Mpofu, counsel for the injured miners, applied to have the proceedings moved as it was expensive for the commission to continue sitting in North West. Lawyers involved in the commission recently asked Judge Farlam to expedite matters, citing spiralling expenses and distress among the families of victims.

They said the slow pace would prolong the proceedings, and the commission would most likely only be concluded next year.

The commission was given a R75m budget, but the lawyers said this would balloon as an extension of the commission’s work was inevitable.

Yesterday, Mr Mpofu continued his cross-examination of national police commissioner Riah Phiyega. He told the commission that the use of “maximum force” during the labour unrest at Lonmin last year was criminal and members of the SAPS broke the law, including disregarding the constitution.

Mr Mpofu argued that in light of what transpired at Marikana, the police had defied three prescripts of the law, starting with the constitution, the Police Service Act and, subsequently, common law.

Ms Phiyega responded saying : “I do not agree with you because of various reasons. To start with, the situation at Marikana was an illegal gathering … the constitution gives everyone the right to gather, but to gather peacefully and unarmed.” With Sapa