Family members arrive for Marikana inquiry

2012-10-22 10:22

(AP)

Rustenburg - Family members of those killed arrived at the Rustenburg Civic Centre on Monday for the judicial inquiry into the shooting at the Lonmin Platinum mine.

National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega was sitting with observers and media inside the auditorium.

Advocates and lawyers were seated on the stage waiting for commission chair retired judge Ian Farlam to arrive.

Respected human rights lawyer, George Bizos SC had arrived with his legal team. He is representing the Legal Resources Centre and the Bench Marks Foundation during proceedings.

Thirty-four Lonmin miners were killed and 78 were wounded when the police opened fire on them during a protest in Marikana on August 16.

On Monday evidence leaders would present post mortem reports and other formal evidence, including a ballistics report. Legal teams would be given the chance to question the evidence, and crime scene experts would also testify.

The commission said that because of the large volume of material involved it was not possible to predict the pace of the proceedings.

Blue and orange banners were erected outside the entrance to the civic centre and inside advertising the commission with the tag line "committed to finding the truth in the interest of restoration and justice".

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- SAPA