Pretoria - Lawyer Dali Mpofu on Thursday proposed that interim relief be granted to the legal team representing the victims of the Marikana shootings.
He told Judge Joseph Raulinga in the High Court in Pretoria it was highly unlikely the Farlam Commission of Inquiry would finish by the end of October.
The commission was given an extension until October 31 to conclude its work.
“The 31st of October is unlikely to be the end date,” he said.
Mpofu was in court to apply for the State to fund legal representation for the victims of the shootings.
He represents them at the inquiry.
As the court proceedings would probably not be concluded by the end of the week, Mpofu suggested interim relief so as not to interfere with the commission, due to resume on Monday.
He said the legal team had not received any funding for the period between June and October.
Mpofu's application is for President Jacob Zuma and Justice Minister Jeff Radebe to approve payment for the lawyers representing the wounded miners.
A large group of miners and their families were gathered in front of the court. They sang and danced in Paul Kruger Square. Some held up placards reading: “Don't let the police get away with murder”.
Police shot dead 34 striking miners in Marikana, North West, on August 16 last year while trying to disperse them. The commission is investigating the events that led to the shooting, and the deaths of 10 people in strike-related violence the previous week. - Sapa