BusinessLive reports that civil society organisations have commended the new report into the events of 16 August 2012 in Marikana where 34 miners were shot dead.
Although the Farlam Commission of inquiry found some fault lay with the miners — a finding that received criticism — a new report has found no evidence pointing to the miners attacking the police that led to a shooting. The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) hosted a seminar on Wednesday where David Bruce‚ an independent researcher and expert on Marikana and policing‚ presented his findings in the "Sound of Gunfire" report. In contrast to the Farlam Commission’s findings‚ Bruce said there was no concrete evidence that the striking miners posed a threat to police at certain times and places on the day. He said one man‚ "Mr Mphumza" raised an assegai to police, but added, "It is inconclusive whether he was attacking the South African Police Services or not." Retired judge Ian Farlam, who presided over the inquiry, said that prima facie evidence indicated that those that fired at "Scene Two" were not doing so in self-defence. He added” "The re-militarisation of [the] police contributed to the massacre."
- Read this report by Kgaugelo Masweneng in full at BusinessLive
- Read too, Marikana massacre: 'No evidence strikers fired on police at Scene 2', at News24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page