SAPS tactical head at Marikana inquiry

264 National Police Commissioner. Rea Phiyega take oath before testifying at the Marikana Commission held at the Rustenburg Civic Center in the North West Province. 140313 Picture: Boxer Ngwenya

264 National Police Commissioner. Rea Phiyega take oath before testifying at the Marikana Commission held at the Rustenburg Civic Center in the North West Province. 140313 Picture: Boxer Ngwenya

Published Apr 22, 2013

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Rustenburg -

The Farlam Commission of Inquiry started cross-examining police special tactical operations head Maj-Gen Charl Annandale when it resumed in the Rustenburg Civic Centre on Monday.

National police commissioner Riah Phiyega was excused from proceedings, as her cross-examination could not continue in the absence of lawyer Dali Mpofu.

Mpofu, who was stabbed in an apparent robbery in East London three weeks ago, was not yet well enough to rejoin the commission.

The commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 34 miners, who were shot dead in a wage-related strike at Lonmin's Marikana mine on August 16, 2012. Another 10 people were killed during protests in the preceding week.

Mpofu is appearing for the arrested and injured miners.

Phiyega was testifying when the commission broke last week, and was to have been cross-examined by Mpofu and Louis Gumbi, for the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union.

The commission heard that Phiyega would be called back when Mpofu returned.

Oral arguments about whether to move the commission from Rustenburg to Pretoria or Johannesburg were to have taken place on Monday, but these had also been put on hold pending Mpofu's return.

Mpofu brought an application for the move several weeks ago. He submitted that all the travelling was expensive and was affecting the amount of time spent consulting.

Karabo Kgoroeadira, for the Bapo ba Mogale community, has opposed the move. - Sapa

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