ALL WE WANT IS JUSTICE

YEDWA Mtshazi, the father of one of the 34 mineworkers shot dead by police in Marikana in August last year, does not care how long the commission of inquiry takes to investigate the circumstances of the shooting, as long as it gets to the truth.

Mtshazi, who is among relatives of the victims attending the Farlam Commission of Inquiry in Centurion, Pretoria, yesterday said the families just want the truth.

“How long the commission takes is not an issue. All we want is justice. If the commission recommends at the end of its proceedings that criminal charges be brought against those responsible for the deaths of our children, we will want to see that happen,” he said.

Mtshazi has travelled from Libode in Eastern Cape to attend the hearings into the deaths of his son Babalwa Mtshazi and other mineworkers.

Mtshazi’s comments come as the future of the commission remains uncertain.

Yesterday was the commission’s deadline, but it had applied for a third extension after the first deadline in January and another in May passed with it failing to conclude its work. Twenty-eight witnesses are still to be called to testify. So far, 22 witnesses have been called.

Commission spokesman Tshepo Mahlangu said the number of witnesses to be called could increase or decrease depending on whether the lawyers representing the victims, state or the commission itself see a need.

President Jacob Zuma was yesterday expected to sign a declaration to grant an extension to the commission.