Marikana inquiry continues

Marikana Commission of Inquiry chairman Ian Farlam is 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

Marikana Commission of Inquiry chairman Ian Farlam is 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 Oct 31, 2012

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Johannesburg - The Farlam Commission of Inquiry into events surrounding the shooting of 34 Lonmin mineworkers will continue on Friday following a week of evidence.

The commission has so far conducted site visits, viewed video of the shooting and heard testimony from a police crime scene videographer.

Earlier, the commission wrapped up its three-day cross-examination of crime scene technician Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Johannes Botha.

Botha was tasked with filming the police disarming and dispersing operation on August 16 from a helicopter.

However, Botha's footage did not capture the shooting at scene one, at the kraal, or scene two at the small hill.

He said he had only heard of the shooting when he was back on the ground.

Following the shooting, police held a nine-day debriefing in Potchefstroom.

Botha told the commission he could not recall if his video was watched at the meeting or what was specifically discussed at the meeting.

Thirty-four Lonmin miners were killed and 78 were wounded when the police opened fire on them during a protest in Marikana on August 16. - Sapa

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