June 21 2013: Journalist: Business Day Samuel Mungadze. Three witnesses already killed before they could testify at the Marikana commission of investigation into the shooting-deaths of 34 mineworkers at the hands of the SAPS. Commission resumes July 15 2013
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June 21 2013 - Investigation Commission chairman says he will not insist on presence of latest death-threat victim due to number of deaths of witnesses. Commission hearing resumes July 15 2013
by Samuel Mungadze, 20 June 2013, 19:28
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Witnesses killed thus far:
1. Traditional healer (sangoma) Alton Zikhuthela (March 2013 at his home)
2. Unnamed shop steward of National Union of Mineworkers, his colleague wounded: Lonmin Wonderkop Hostel
3. Mawethu Joseph Steven, regional chairman Assocation of Mineworkers and Construction union: executed by four men at tavern, Ango Plat Khomani mine
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Also: Marikana strife ‘sparked surge’ in panga sales
http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2013/06/18/marikana-strife-sparked-surge-in-panga-sales
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June 21 2013 - Business Day journalist Samuel Mungadze writes: "ANOTHER witness meant to testify at the Marikana commission of inquiry has received anonymous death threats via SMS and email.
Commission chairman Judge Ian Farlam said he would not insist on presence of latest death-threat victim.
The Farlam commission, which is examining the deaths of 34 striking mineworkers in a clash with police at Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine in August 2012, has had to deal with several threats and deaths since its inception.
Police are investigating after the latest witness admitted to being "shaken up" after the threats, which came on Tuesday after he had filed a statement with the commission.
The commission was not told the victim’s name, but he is suspected to be witness "Y", whose statement was read on Friday.
Several people linked to the inquiry have been killed, including Alton Zikhuthele, a sangoma who was killed in March at his home at Ludeke Holt village in Mbizana, Eastern Cape.
Mr Zithuthele had been expected to testify about his role in rituals that made protesters believe they would be invisible in the face of gunfire.
Most recently, a National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) shop steward was shot dead and his colleague wounded in an attack at Lonmin’s Wonderkop hostel.
The shop steward’s death followed that of Mawethu Joseph Steven, a regional chairman of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union who was shot dead in May by four men at a tavern near Anglo Platinum’s Khomanani mine shaft two in Rustenburg.
Vuyani Ngalwana, lawyer for the police, informed the commission of the latest threats. "It has come to our attention that one of the witnesses, who has filed a statement, has received anonymous death threats," he said.
He told the inquiry that police now had no intention of calling the victim to testify. "As we know, people have been murdered. Police have been asked to investigate," he said.
Commission chairman Judge Ian Farlam said due to the number of deaths of witnesses, his team would not insist on the presence of the witness at the inquiry.
"Anyone foolish enough to consider killing a person because he was about to testify can expect the full wrath of the law to be applied against them," he said.
Meanwhile, Dali Mpofu, representing the injured and arrested miners, is expected to lodge an urgent application in the North Gauteng High Court on Friday to force the government to pay the legal fees of miners arrested and wounded during the Marikana strike in 2012.
Court documents will be served to Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe and to President Jacob Zuma.
It is expected that Mr Mpofu will argue in his court papers that legal aid be extended to the miners as much as it is being given to the police.
The commission goes into recess on Friday and will resume on July 15, a date by which Mr Mpofu wants the legal representation issue to be resolved.
http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2013/06/20/another-marikana-witness-receives-death-threats
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