Pretoria - The SA Police Service on Monday requested that media be barred from the Farlam Commission of Inquiry when it discusses a newspaper article about the strike-related unrest in Marikana last year.
“We object to the documents presented here... we request that media not be part of the inquiry when I address the commission regarding the article,” said Vuyani Ngalwana, for the police.
The commission is investigating the deaths of 44 people killed during strike-related unrest at Lonmin's platinum mining operations at Marikana, near Rustenburg in North West, in August last year.
Michelle Le Roux, for the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) handed out documents before she cross-examined North West deputy police commissioner William Mpembe.
The documents included a Mail & Guardian newspaper article about Mpembe demanding R1 million for wrongful arrest.
The article, published last September, reported Mpembe's arrest with several other officers after they were accused of watching and not doing anything while arrested miners were assaulted in custody.
Mpembe has denied being present during the alleged assault.
Commission chairman, retired judge Ian Farlam, objected to Ngalwana's suggestion.
“We will deal with the documents as we go on, but I am not prepared to bar media from being here.”
“The fact that the article would be aired here does not have an implication on how the commission progresses.” - Sapa