Cyril Ramaphosa appeared at the Marikana Commission of Inquiry on 11 and 12 August and has now concluded giving evidence at the commission. Large crowds of mineworkers and protesters from the Marikana Support Campaign were present to hear this long awaited evidence.

Remember that it was Cyril Ramaphosa who wrote emails to cabinet ministers during the strike calling for ‘concomitant action’. Cyril Ramaphosa was the direct link between Lonmin, where he was a shareholder and non-executive director at the time of the strike, the cabinet, where he was a senior minister, and the police commissioner, over whom he held a superior position.

Footage from Miners Shot Down was used during his cross examination, mostly alluding to Ramaphosa’s role in the 1987 miners strike and his skills as a negotiator during troubled times. He failed to use these skills during the 2012 strike, choosing instead to call on the police and government to employ force against the strikers. At the time, the strikers were calling for talks with the company.

Read more about Ramaphosa’s testimony here on Mail&Guardian…

“Former Police minister Nathi Mthethwa appeared for his second and final day at the Marikana Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday. In the tense, frenetic-paced cross-examinations he was accused of exerting political influence on the operations of the police, lying to the Commission, and failing to provide leadership and accountability. Mthethwa, of course, denied the allegations. GREG NICOLSON reports.”

Another great article by The Daily Maverick, keeping us informed about new developments at the Marikana Commission of Inquiry. Read the full article here…

“Former police minister Nathi Mthethwa was confident on his first day at the Marikana Commission of Inquiry. His testimony is crucial in understanding whether political influence played a role in the deaths of 44 people. Mthethwa, now arts and culture minister, has been steadfast in his defence, but can he keep it up?” By GREG NICOLSON.

An insightful article by Greg Nicolson, published in The Daily Maverick. Read the full article here…

Day of Action 16 August

The Marikana Support Campaign has grown considerably over the past 6 months, this has been assisted greatly through the 140+ plus screenings of Miners Shot Down that have taken place around the country.

We are requesting that the campaign holds a number of regional meetings over the next two weeks to discuss what activity they will be undertaking. At present there are number of ideas and tentative plans. What we do know is that they will be a commemoration of the killings/ celebration of the strike in Marikana on the 16th of August. The Gauteng Strike Support Committee have agreed to pull out all the stops on the day and are planning pickets of police stations and organising as many screenings of the documentary on that day as possible. They also aim to have a presence at the rally in Marikana.

The MSC steering committee are reaching out to all areas where we have a sufficient critical mass to organise activities on this day and assist in calling regional meetings. Many of the NGO’s and CSO’s will have the capacity  to organise screenings and fundraising functions. Many of the CBO and civic structures have tentative plans of picketing at their local police stations, while others have plans to organise rallies. We also expect trade union support from NUMSA and some NACTU affiliates.

Internationally pickets of SA Embassies and consulates are planned in Europe and North America.

We believe it will be worthwhile to have regional meetings in the following areas and will be getting in contact with leading activists in these areas to see how we can assist:

• Gauteng
• Western Cape
• KZN
• Eastern Cape
• Mpumulanga

On behalf of the Marikana Support Campaign Steering Committee

Updates on the Marikana Commission of Inquiry

Follow the Mail & Guardian news articles to get insights into new developments around the Marikana Commission of Inquiry, as well as breaking news stories.