Marikana commission continues

The Farlam Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 44 people during strike-related unrest at Lonmin's platinum mine in Marikana is expected to continue on Thursday.

 

The commission, which is sitting in Centurion, Pretoria, heard on Wednesday that police at Marikana had 225 R5 rifles on the day 34 people were shot.

 

On August 16, 2012, 34 people, mostly striking miners, were shot dead and 78 were wounded when police fired on a group gathered at a hill near Lonmin's platinum mining operations at Marikana, near Rustenburg, North West.

 

In the preceding week, 10 people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed.

 

On Wednesday, Calitz said that during the week before August 16, police fired several bullets during clashes with the protesters and needed to replace them.

 

President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission of inquiry last August.

 

The public hearings continue in Centurion on Thursday.

 

-Sapa