EWN reports that the state is facing claims amounting to more than R1 billion arising out of the Marikana massacre four years ago when 34 miners lost their lives after police opened fire on protesting strikers near Lonmin’s Rustenburg mine.  

The SA Police Service (SAPS) and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) updated Parliament’s police portfolio committee on Wednesday on progress in implementing the recommendations of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry into the tragedy.  The police's Nashee Sewpersadh said the total amount of civil claims against the government was just over R1.1 billion.  He indicated that the government’s approach to this litigation was aimed at reaching settlements of the claims as quickly as possible.  Injured mineworkers and families of those who died are suing the government for loss of support, unlawful arrest and detention and personal injury.  According to Sewpersadh, they were waiting for attorneys to respond to offers to settle loss of support claims.

• This report by Gaye Davis is at EWN

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