Bishop: Marikana could have been avoided

Anglican Bishop of Pretoria Joe Seoka arrives at the Rustenburg Civic Centre, for talks about the Lonmin wage impasse. Picture: Taurai Maduna/EWN.
| 23 November 2012
RUSTENBURG - The Marikana Commission of Inquiry heard that police did not record key moments of violence at Lonmin's mine in the North West.

This emerged in the testimony of Anglican Bishop Johannes 'Jo' Seoka on Thursday.

Seoka said he could not understand why Lonmin management did not want to speak to mineworkers.

“The workers did not show anger nor did they use strong language. They were wanting to reach out.”

Lonmin's lawyer, Advocate Schalk Burger, said police cordoned off the area as it was deemed unsafe.

Burger also said the miners were thought to be armed.

But the Bishop said the shooting could have been prevented.

“If I was given the chance to go with police to management, that day would have turned out differently."

The South African Council of Churches leader also pointed fingers at the police and said they could be not trusted.

(Edited by Katleho Mogase)