Man shot dead in Marikana

The 38-year-old was walking home on Tuesday afternoon when occupants of a car opened fire and killed him, Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

 

"The incident happened at around 4.30pm. He was near a playground when he was shot by occupants in a vehicle."

 

His attackers fled the scene.

 

Police could not yet reveal the man's identity, but said a case of murder had been opened.

 

Mokgwabone could not confirm if the victim was the man mentioned at the Farlam Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday.

 

The commission heard that Bongani "Bhayi" Mehlonkomo was shot dead in Marikana on Tuesday evening, and that other mineworkers in the area feared for their lives.

 

Dali Mpofu SC, for miners arrested and wounded during strike-related violence in Marikana in August 2012, said Bhayi was a member of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union.

 

He said police witness "Mr X" had repeatedly mentioned Bhayi at the inquiry, implicating him in the August 2012 murders of police officers and Lonmin security guards.

 

"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 told the inquiry in Pretoria.

 

"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."
 

Mr X is under police protection and may not be identified. He has been testifying via video link from an undisclosed location.

 

The inquiry, chaired by retired judge Ian Farlam, is investigating the deaths of 44 people during strike-related unrest at Lonmin's platinum mining operations in Marikana in 2012.

 

Police shot dead 34 people, mostly striking mineworkers, and wounded 70, on August 16, 2012. In the preceding week, 10 people including the two policemen and two security guards, were killed.

 

(File photo: Gallo images)