Local News
Analysts criticise Farlam report─── 07:35 Sat, 27 Jun 2015
Johannesburg - Analysts are criticising the Farlam Commission’s report on the Marikana massacre, for the lack of first-hand accounts from police officers on the ground and not elaborating on the involvement of police top brass.
Institute for Security Studies (ISS) political analyst Gareth Newham says not one person, who did the shooting that led to the to deaths of 34 people, was cross-examined nor was the involvement of National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega and then Minister Nathi Mthethwa adequately addressed.
President Jacob Zuma on Thursday released the report on the August 2012 massacre.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Mineworkers has welcomed the Farlam Commission of Inquiry’s recommendation for further investigations into the incident, maintaining that its members and officials had acted “within the parameters of private defence”.
According to general secretary David Sipunzi, the “degree of criticism” directed at the NUM’s local branch leadership over its misguided advice to the striking rock-drill operators, as well as its attempts to encourage and assist nonstriking workers to return to work amid tense strike action, was “noted”.
The report, which had seemingly laid blame on most of those involved, also shouldered the NUM with some culpability for failing to ensure Lonmin engaged workers or exercise “effective control” in disputes between its members by ensuring that their conduct was lawful and nonviolent.
-news24.com & miningweekly
