Members of the media are advised that the Marikana Commission of Inquiry will reconvene at Rustenburg Civic Centre on Monday 29 October 2012 at 9h00. This week the Commission will sit on 29, 30 and 31 October 2012. It will not sit on Thursday 1 November and Friday 2 November 2012. Members of the media are also advised that the Commission will not sit on Wednesday 7 November 2012. It will however sit on all other weekdays in November 2012.
The days on which we are not sitting have been necessitated by pre-bookings of the Rustenburg Civic Centre which took place before the Marikana tragedy happened. Irresponsible media reports have suggested that this reflects disorganisation on the part of the Commission. This is inaccurate. The Rustenburg Civic Centre which is owned by the Rustenburg Municipality doubles up as a commercial entity which is booked for various events. As noted above a number of pre-bookings have been made. We have received a commitment from the Rustenburg Municipality that there will be no new bookings to other entities during the Commission’s tenure.
During adjournments the Commission has been hard at work reviewing documents and various submissions, legal teams have met to strategise and exchange documents while evidence leaders have finalised the week ahead. Reports that construe the periods of adjournment as a vacuum reflect a limited understanding of legal processes. Journalists are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the attached Terms of Reference, Regulations, Procedure for the Inquiry and conditions for participation of media at the Inquiry. This will prevent the writing of legally inaccurate reports.
This week’s proceedings will continue with Theme 1 of the Commission’s mandate, that is, the events of 9 to 16 August 2012. Crime Scene Experts will continue their testimony regarding what they saw and did during that period. Post-mortem and ballistic reports will also be subject to cross-examination by the parties’ legal representatives. Video footage which was shown last week will also be assessed.
In regard to the issue concerning families the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has undertaken to provide explanations in this regard. Kindly contact Mthunzi Mhaga, Spokesperson, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on 083 641 8141 if you have questions concerning this issue.
In regard to the issue of the arrests of Zamikhaya Ndude, Sithembele Sohadi, Loyiso Mtsheketshe, Anele Kole and Xolani Nzuza the Commission has requested an explanation of the circumstances of the arrests. The response from the South African Police Service (SAPS) is that the above mentioned are accused of various crimes including murder. It is the position of the Commission that law enforcement must not be hindered during its tenure but that a delicate balance must be sought that does not undermine the work of the Commission.
Enquiries:
Adv Kevin Malunga
Cell: 082 466 8968
