Business Day
*Marikana: ‘No murderous intent’ on part of police*** *Ernest Mabuza, Business Day, Johannesburg, 22 October 2012*POLICE never intended for events at Lonmin’s Marikana mine to end in the loss of life and injuries, the Farlam commission of inquiry into the labour unrest at the mine was told on Monday.
On August 16 this year, more than 30 striking miners were killed and scores were injured in a shootout with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The commission resumed in Rustenburg on Monday after it was postponed earlier this month to allow the family members of the deceased to attend the inquiry.
"We will show there was no murderous intent on the part of the police. Evidence will show some of the protesters intended a bloodbath," SAPS advocate Ishmael Semenya SC told the commission.
Adv Semenya said the SAPS would explain how their intervention at Marikana was aimed at establishing peace.
He said police were usually called in when parties had failed to resolve their differences.
"The SAPS tried to encourage management and unions to enter into negotiations, without police getting involved in those negotiations," Adv Semenya said.
He said police told the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union and the National Union of Mineworkers to resolve their differences, while senior SAPS members made efforts to get Lonmin management to speak to workers. "However management refused to negotiate outside the normal communication structures."
Adv Semenya said the SAPS tried to create an environment where union leaders could communicate with their members. "The use of lethal force was the last resort. You will hear of the fluidity of the situation at Marikana on the 16th, where tragic but unintended consequences occurred."
This was despite meticulous scenario planning by senior management, he said.On the day of the shootout, Mr Semenya said, police management had decided at 1.30pm to disperse and disarm the crowd of striking miners and supporters.
Police first installed barbed wire to prevent protesters from crossing the divide. "Protesters tried on three occasions to breach the barbed wire. Tear gas, stun grenades, water cannons and rubber bullets were used to stop protesters from breaching the line. These did not deter them."
On the third attempt, he said, protesters managed to breach the line and ran towards police officers who had "less than a heartbeat" to respond.
Adv Semenya said officers from the tactical response team opened fire before anyone could issue an order.
*From: http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2012/10/22/marikana-no-murderous-intent-on-part-of-police*
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