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Jacob Zuma

Johannesburg – The presidency has received the report by the Farlam Commission of Inquiry into the violence at Marikana, it said yesterday.“President Zuma is currently in Algeria on a state visit and will prioritise the consideration of the report on his return,” spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

“The president wishes to thank the chairperson of the commission, Judge Farlam, and commission members advocate Bantubonke Tokota SC and advocate Pingla Hemraj SC as well as all witnesses who participated in the commission.”

The commission investigated the deaths of 44 people during strike-related violence at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana, near Rustenburg, North West.

Thirty-four people, mostly striking mineworkers, were shot dead in a clash with police, over 70 were wounded, and another 250 arrested on August 16 2012.

Police were apparently trying to disarm and disperse them. In the preceding week, 10 people, including policemen and two security guards, were killed. – Sapa