Procedures for Marikana Commission released

2012-09-29 13:44

A crime scene investigator at the site of the Marikana shooting. (File, AP)

Johannesburg - Procedures for the Marikana Commission of Inquiry were released on Friday, which allow family members of those killed to get preference if they want to attend the hearings.

The Marikana Commission of Inquiry will start at the Rustenburg Civic Centre on Monday.

All interested parties would meet at the civic centre at 09:00 and proceed to the area where 34 striking workers of the Lonmin Platinum mine in Marikana were shot dead by police on August 16, said the commission's secretary in a statement.

"Parties will be invited to point out places which they consider of relevance to the Commissions inquiry."
The secretary said the descriptions of what happened where at the site would be recorded.

Following the in loco inspection, formal sittings of the Commission were expected to start at the civic centre on Wednesday, October 3.

"The first session will focus on the events immediately preceding August 16 2012 and each party will have the opportunity to give the Commission a presentation consisting of an overview of those events from its perspective."

Representatives of the SA Police Service were expected to present photographs and notes detailing the August 16 event from their point of view.

The secretary said residents of the Madibeng and Rustenburg local municipalities may be required to point out where the informal settlements were situated.

Members of the public were warned that arrangements in the civic theatre would be limited to the number of available seats in the auditorium.

Only family members of those killed on August 16 would be given priority.

The commission was mandated to determine the roles played by Lonmin, the police, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

In August, President Jacob Zuma announced a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the violence in which over 44 people died.

- SAPA