Johannesburg - The terms of reference for the Marikana commission of inquiry, published in the Government Gazette on Wednesday, give conflicting dates and number of days covered by the investigation.
The proclamation by President Jacob Zuma states the investigation would span the period from Saturday, August 11 until Thursday the 16th, the day of the police shooting of 34 miners, but the terms of reference say the investigation would cover the period from Thursday, August 9 until Saturday the 18th.
Julius Malema’s visit to the area on that Saturday, two days after the massacre, could then also form part of the commission’s work.
Justice officials could not explain the discrepancy by late on Thursday. The conduct of individuals and loose groupings in fomenting conflict or confrontation, which may have played a role in the Marikana incident, directly or indirectly, would fall under the scope of the investigation.
The long-awaited detail on the exact scope of the inquiry into events at Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine - in which 44 people were killed and 70 injured - says it would investigate the actions of the mining company, unions, the police, the Department of Minerals and Energy, other departments that may have played a role, and the actions of individuals.
Zuma told Parliament on Thursday he wanted the inquiry to establish the facts about what transpired.
It would also investigate whether Lonmin responded appropriately to the threat and outbreak of violence at its premises.
Justice Ministry spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said discussions were also under way to ensure that all affected parties and the public could be part of the commission’s work.
The Star