Pretoria – The Presidency says Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the release of the Farlam Commission report into the Marikana tragedy by President Jacob Zuma on Thursday, and will study its contents and provide his comment in due course.
This after President Zuma said the Commission had found that it cannot be said that the Deputy President was the cause of the tragedy‚ and the accusations against him are groundless.
Deputy President Ramaphosa voluntarily gave evidence to the Farlam Commission with a view to assisting the Commission to reach its conclusions.
On 26 August 2012, a commission of inquiry was appointed to investigate matters of public, national and international concern arising out of the tragic incidents at the Lonmin Mine in Marikana during 11 to 16 August 2012.
About 44 people lost their lives and many others were injured.
The commission was chaired by retired Judge Ian Farlam, assisted by Advocates PD Hemraj SC and BR Tokota SC.
The commission was tasked with enquiring into and making findings and recommendations concerning the conduct of Lonmin Plc, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and other government departments, as well as individuals and groupings.
The recommendations include an enquiry into National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega’s fitness to hold office.
President Zuma on Thursday evening said he had written to the National Commissioner to inform her of the recommendations pertaining to her.
“The commission has also recommended that there must be an inquiry into the fitness to hold office, of the National Police Commissioner as well as the North West Provincial Police Commissioner in terms of Section 9 of the South African Police Service Act,” said the President.
He said the Minister of Police would inform the former North West Police Commissioner on matters affecting her.
“The affected ministers will study the commission report and advise me on the implementation of the recommendations. Further updates on these matters will be provided in due course.”- SAnews.gov.za
