Phiyega's Marikana testimony delayed
2013-03-13 19:35
Rustenburg - National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega
will not give evidence before the Farlam Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday,
said its chairperson, retired judge Ian Farlam.
"The national commissioner will not be giving
evidence today but tomorrow [Thursday]," Farlam said after the lunch
adjournment.
Phiyega arrived at the Rustenburg Civic Centre on
Wednesday morning and waited all day to give evidence before the commission,
said Makhosini Nkosi, the commission's consultant to her.
"The national commissioner is here and will give
evidence when the re-examination [of Lonmin miner Mzoxolo Magidiwana] is
completed," Nkosi said earlier in the day.
"She is waiting to be called by the
commission."
However, advocate Dali Mpofu, for the injured and
arrested miners, later indicated he would take all afternoon to re-examine
Magidiwana, who was wounded in the shooting at Marikana on 16 August.
The commission is probing the deaths of 44 people during
an unprotected strike at Lonmin's platinum mine in Marikana.
On 16 August, 34 striking mineworkers were shot dead and
78 were injured when the police opened fire while trying to disperse a group
gathered on a hill near the mine.
Ten people, including two police officers and two
security guards, were killed near the mine in the preceding week.
Nkosi said Phiyega denied reports that she laughed and
joked when footage of the shooting was shown in October.
The Times reported that Phiyega joked with a state law
adviser while a prelude to the killings was being screened.
The commission adjourned for lunch on Wednesday after
Magidiwana broke down and cried when new footage was screened.
"It is terrible," said Farlam. "Even if he
is prepared to carry on, I don't know if we should subject him to further
interrogation," Mpofu said.
"It is
definitely new footage although it shows old footage. It is definitely new
footage," he said.
The eNews footage is of the shooting, with a reporter on
the scene explaining what is happening.
The hearing continues.
- SAPA
