North West – The scene of the Lonmin Marikana shooting in North West has become a political battlefield, with expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema using it as a platform to take a swipe at President Jacob Zuma.

On Tuesday, Malema labelled Zuma as “manipulative” and expressed doubts over the commission of inquiry established to look into the killing of 34 striking miners by the police.

“I really don’t trust [Zuma’s] intervention. Normal process must be followed without any political interference,” he said.

Malema accompanied some striking workers to open cases of murder against the police at the Marikana police station on Tuesday.

He said cases were also opened against the National Union of Mineworkers, whose officials allegedly shot and killed two striking workers more than a week ago.

By pressing the charges, Malema said he had full confidence in ordinary processes that would have “no political interference”.

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