Phiyega draws more fire

Evidence leaders at the Farlam Commission of Inquiry have called for a board of inquiry to investigate national police commissioner Riah Phiyega's fitness to hold office.

They began their closing arguments before the commission yesterday. It was set up to examine the events surrounding the massacre at Marikana in North West in August 2012, when 34 striking workers at Lonmin's platinum mine were killed by the police.

The commission, which started work more than two years ago, is to make findings and recommendations on various aspects, including Lonmin and SAPS conduct, after closing arguments end next week.

Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson SC accused the police of hiding information and attempting to mislead the commission.

Chaskalson said the SAPS's response was characterised by concentrated attempts to mislead on central issues. He said evidence that was now before the commission was originally withheld.

He accused the SAPS of failing to disclose evidence that cast police in a bad light. The evidence was discovered by evidence leaders after police failed to divulge it .

This included the ordering of mortuary vehicles on the morning of August 16 2012 and the requisitioning of an additional 4000 rounds of ammunition for operations on the same day. Police attempted to hide videos and evidence relating to the planting of weapons on the bodies of the slain strikers, Chaskalson said.

"All of this points to a practice of not being candid with the commission and of deliberately attempting to suppress the disclosure of evidence that may be embarrassing to SAPS," he said.

Fellow evidence leader Geoff Budlender SC asked the commission to recommend that North West provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Zukiswa Mbombo be investigated for criminal liability.

He said striking workers were responsible for the murders of five people prior to August 16 and that strike leaders should be held accountable for their deaths.

Lonmin failed to protect its employees, he said.

Arguments continue today.