Marikana hearing prompt protest

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 8, 2013

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Rustenberg, North West - About 15 people protested outside the Rustenburg Civic Centre on Wednesday where the Farlam Commission of Inquiry is holding public hearings.

The group of local community members said it opposed the commission's proposed move from Rustenburg to Pretoria.

They carried placards reading: “Enquiry must stay in Rustenburg”, and “Nothing about us, without us”.

Most of the legal representatives involved in the commission have called for it to be moved to Pretoria, arguing that it is expensive for them to travel to Rustenburg.

Legal representatives for the Bapo Ba Mogale community have opposed the move.

Oral arguments on the matter were heard two weeks ago.

Commission chairman retired Judge Ian Farlam will consult with Justice Minister Jeff Radebe before making a decision.

The hearings were interrupted by a power failure on Wednesday.

Farlam did not refer to the protesters outside, and it was not clear whether he was aware of them.

The commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 44 people, 34 of them at the hands of police, in the wage-related unrest near Lonmin's platinum mine in Marikana, North West, in August last year. - Sapa

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