Johannesburg – The Farlam Commission of Inquiry into the Marikana shootings has been postponed, the commission said on Friday.

“A decision in respect of possible funding for the legal team representing the injured and the arrested miners has not been finally determined,” it said in a statement.

“This decision is now expected within the next few days.”

Hearings would resume on Wednesday.

The commission is investigating the deaths of 44 people during strike-related unrest in Marikana last year. Police shot dead 34 striking mineworkers on 16 August. Ten people, including two police officers, were killed in the preceding week.

Dali Mpofu, representing the mineworkers wounded and arrested at Marikana, wanted the funding for his legal team.

He previously signalled his intention to file papers with the Constitutional Court for a ruling on whether the state should fund their work at the commission. He made a similar request in the High Court in Pretoria earlier this month, but it was dismissed.

Commission chair retired judge Ian Farlam said: “Though it is regrettable that we have to once again postpone the commission’s sitting time by two more days, in addition to the days already lost, it is however desirable that we continue with efforts we are making to ensure a process as inclusive as possible.”

SAPA