The commission of inquiry that is expected to investigate the shooting at Lonmin mine in Marikana which left 34 people dead may be a judicial one, Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said on Saturday night.
“We are expecting President Jacob Zuma very soon to announce the nature of the commission and its terms of reference,” he said.
“It is quite likely to be a judicial commission but that is my anticipation of the form it is likely to take.”
He said Zuma was treating this as an urgent matter.
On Thursday, police opened fire on striking workers, some of them armed, on a hill while trying to disperse them after a week of violent protests.
The police ministry said 78 others were injured and 259 arrested.
Protesters were demanding higher wages.
On Friday, Zuma said the inquiry would uncover the truth of what had transpired at Marikana.
“It is against this background, that we have to uncover the truth about what happened here,” he said.
“In this regard I have decided to institute a commission of inquiry. It will enable us to get to the real cause of the incident and to derive the necessary lessons today.” - Sapa