Pretoria -
Translations, many witnesses, and problems with funding have delayed the Farlam Commission of Inquiry, its chairman said on Wednesday.
Retired judge Ian Farlam said the commission had held 114 sessions and over 12 000 pages of submissions had been handed in.
Established by President Jacob Zuma it began its hearings in Rustenburg in October last year. It had since moved to Pretoria.
“I am happy to announce that the department (of justice) has agreed to provide simultaneous translations for the proceedings,” Farlam said.
The commission had many witnesses to question and many legal teams wanted to cross-examine them.
The lack of funding for the lawyers representing miners wounded and arrested during the Marikana unrest had caused further delays. Despite this, the commission still intended completing its work and reporting back to the president and the public, Farlam said.
Friday marks a year since 34 people, almost all miners, were shot dead in a clash with police, at Lonmin's Marikana mine in the North West. Ten people, including two police officers and two security guards, were killed in the preceding week.
Farlam said the commission would not sit on Friday so that those who wanted to attend various commemoration ceremonies could do so.
The commission continues on Monday. - Sapa