SAPS must halt Marikana murders: Farlam
"There are quite a number of deaths already in the Marikana saga. I would ask the police to redouble their efforts to ensure violence of this kind is not allowed to continue," he said at the inquiry's public hearings in Pretoria.
"Certainly it's a matter of grave concern to us all, not just the commission, but I am sure the whole country."
Bongani "Bhayi" Mehlonkomo was shot dead in Marikana in North West on Tuesday evening.
Dali Mpofu, for mineworkers arrested and wounded during strike-related violence in Marikana in August 2012, told the commission his clients were petrified.
"There is growing concern among the people that I represent. Speculation in the community is that the assassination is connected to the mentioning of names by Mr X," Mpofu said.
"Their fear is that those who have been implicated falsely feel that their lives are under threat. They are not under protection and are vulnerable."
Mpofu said police witness, known only as "Mr X", had repeatedly mentioned Bhayi at the inquiry, implicating him in the August 2012 murders of two police officers and Lonmin security guards.
"My clients feel that, unlike Mr X, they are vulnerable, they are not protected by the authorities.
"To protect my clients' rights, Mr X's competency should have been ascertained before he went bandying their names about, which has been repeated in the media," Mpofu said.
Mr X may not be identified and is testifying via a remote video link from an undisclosed location. He is under witness protection.
Bhayi was a secretary of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) at Lonmin's Roland Shaft in Marikana.
Under cross-examination last week, Mr X was asked by Takalani Masevhe, for the family of slain Warrant Officer Tsietsi Monene, to name the person who shot the policeman at close range.
After much hesitation, Mr X said those responsible were a protester Tholakele, popularly known as "Bhele", and Bongani, popularly known as "Bhayi". He said he did not know their surnames.
"I want to apologise because these men said I should not mention their names. I communicate with the men of Marikana. They must tell the truth," said Mr X.
Monene was one of two officers hacked and shot dead on August 13, 2012 after police clashed with protesting miners.
The inquiry is investigating the deaths of 44 people during strike-related unrest at Lonmin's operations at Marikana, near Rustenburg, in August 2012.
Thirty-four people, mostly striking mineworkers, were shot dead by police apparently trying to disarm and disperse them on August 16, 2012. Seventy others were wounded and 250 arrested.
In the preceding week, 10 people including the two policemen and two security guards, were killed.
In August 2013, Farlam expressed concern about murders linked to witnesses at the inquiry.
"It is a matter of concern because a number of people connected to this commission have been assassinated. It is a matter which I am sure is receiving attention from the authorities," he said.
Farlam made the remarks after National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) branch chairperson William Setelele was shot dead at Marikana.
Setelele had testified at the inquiry in January and February this year.
Another NUM official, branch secretary Dalivuyo Bongo, was killed on October 5, 2012. He was shot six times at his home at the Wonderkop hostel complex.
At the time of Bongo's death, the NUM said he was set to present key information to the commission.
Amcu's potential key witness at the inquiry Mawethu Steve was killed in a tavern in May 2013 before he could testify. His death triggered suspected reprisal hits on two NUM members, twin brothers, the same evening.
Another Amcu leader's decomposed body was found near an Xstrata mine in Limpopo in June 2013. His hands and feet were tied.
The sangoma who apparently performed the rituals on the Marikana mineworkers was shot and killed in Bizana, Eastern Cape, in March 2013.
Alton Joja, 69, was at his home when several armed men confronted him, police said at the time.
(File photo: Gallo images)
