Presidency responds to complaints regarding Marikana report

Friday, June 26, 2015

Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma did not want to delay the release of the report of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry after finalising consideration of the report, given the recent urgent application and the various requests for the report to be released.

In a live address to the nation from the Union Buildings on Thursday evening, President Zuma released the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the incidents at the Lonmin Mine in Marikana during 11 to 16 August 2012 where about 44 people lost their lives and many others were injured.

On 26 August 2012, he appointed a commission of inquiry to investigate matters of public, national and international concern arising out of the tragic events. 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 Presidency on Friday said it had noted the complaints from some of the representatives of the injured and arrested persons and of the families of those who died in Marikana about the release of the report.

The representatives had said they needed more time to prepare for the release.

Director General in the Presidency, Dr Cassius Lubisi, said the Presidency was aware of Judge Neil Tuchten's recommendation as well as that of the Socio-Economic Rights Institute to give a notice of two days before the report is released.

“The President had finalised the consideration of the report and he is of the view that he did not want to further delay its release given the recent urgent application and the various requests for the report to be released.

“In addition, the majority of the applicants in court wanted the report to be released immediately.

“Waiting two days after completing his process for the sake of a few would be unfair to the majority in the country who wanted it to be released immediately,” said the Director General.

President Jacob Zuma had announced that he would release the report before the end of June.

Director General Lubisi said the President reiterated his call for the nation to use the painful tragedy of Marikana to unite and to ensure that there is no recurrence of such a tragedy. 

The President also reiterated his message of condolence to all those who lost their loved ones during all the painful incidents between 11 and 16 August 2015 as well as afterwards, the period that was not covered by the Commission of Inquiry.

The report has been published on the Presidency and GCIS websites, and will be published in the Government Gazette by Tuesday. – SAnews.gov.za