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There are reports that the security forces have been brutalising the people of Marikana since Government imposed an undeclared state of emergency on that area. It is alleged that the security forces randomly shot people with rubber bullets during raids on miners’ hostels. This is apparently what led to the death of Councillor Pauline Masutlhe, who worked tirelessly to ensure a speedy resolution of the Lonmin Mine labour dispute.

There are also reports that yesterday the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse striking Anglo American Platinum mineworkers.

This use of excessive force by the security forces is a serious civil rights violation and runs the risk of turning South Africa into a police state.

We, therefore, request you to extend the terms of reference for the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Marikana massacre to investigate new claims of police brutality during the undeclared state of emergency in Marikana and the Anglo American Platinum strike.