Marikana: IPID must investigate all police evidence at the Farlam Commission 

It has been revealed by evidence leaders in the Farlam Commission that the police could have withheld crucial information with the aim to distort the truth, while they were giving evidence. This comes on the back of the government's refusal to assist the mineworkers represented at the Commission with their legal fees - thus tipping the scales of justice against those who lost their lives and loved ones at Marikana.

The DA will be writing to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to request that it launch a full investigation to review all evidence which has been submitted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to the Farlam Commission of Enquiry. The fact that the police are said to have manufactured evidence after the fact represents serious police misconduct which IPID has both a mandate and a duty to investigate. 

If these very serious allegations are true, this could constitute the biggest police cover-up in democratic South Africa - and indeed since the murder in detention of Steve Biko in 1977.

This also points to a severe lack of leadership within the SAPS and the Police Ministry, and further substantiates the DA's call for Riah Phiyega and Minister Nathi Mthethwa to be removed from their posts with immediate effect. 

Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, September 20 2013

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