Lonmin and SAPS ‘worked together’

From left: advocate Pingla Hemraj, Marikana commission chairman Ian Farlam and advocate Bantubonke Tokota are seen during the first week of the inquiry at the Civic Centre in Rustenburg in the North West, Wednesday, 3 October 2012. The judicial commission of inquiry into the shooting at Lonmin platinum mine was postponed on Wednesday. Lawyers representing the different parties unanimously decided to postpone the matter to 9am on October 22. Thirty-four miners were killed and 78 wounded when police opened fire on them while trying to disperse protesters near the mine in Marikana on August 16. Picture: SAPA stringer

From left: advocate Pingla Hemraj, Marikana commission chairman Ian Farlam and advocate Bantubonke Tokota are seen during the first week of the inquiry at the Civic Centre in Rustenburg in the North West, Wednesday, 3 October 2012. The judicial commission of inquiry into the shooting at Lonmin platinum mine was postponed on Wednesday. Lawyers representing the different parties unanimously decided to postpone the matter to 9am on October 22. Thirty-four miners were killed and 78 wounded when police opened fire on them while trying to disperse protesters near the mine in Marikana on August 16. Picture: SAPA stringer

Published May 15, 2013

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Rustenburg -

The relationship between police and Lonmin was professional, the Farlam Commission of Inquiry heard on Wednesday.

“We wouldn't have functioned properly without ears and eyes there,” Major-General Charl Annandale said during cross-examination by Lonmin lawyer Schalk Burger.

Annandale headed the police's tactical response team during the 2012 unrest at the platinum mine in Marikana, North West.

He told the commission the two parties exchanged information during the unrest and Lonmin provided police with CCTV footage.

“We wouldn't have been able to work properly without them (Lonmin) playing their important role,” he said.

Had the company refused to provide the information, it could have been regarded as a criminal offence, said Annandale.

On Tuesday, Dali Mpofu, for the arrested and injured miners, described the relationship between police and Lonmin as “toxic”.

The commission, chaired by retired judge Ian Farlam, is investigating the deaths of 44 people killed in Lonmin's wage-related unrest last year.

Police shot dead 34 striking mineworkers in Marikana on August 16. Ten people, including two police officers, were killed in the preceding week.

The public hearings are being held in Rustenburg. - Sapa

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