Last week Friday it was controversially announced that funding for the families of the Marikana shooting was to be withdrawn, as no basis in law existed for it. Justice Minister Jeff Radebe announced this morning that this decision has now been reversed, and the regulations amended.

The department sent a team down to the Eastern Cape to visit some of the families of the victims. Concern was expressed about attendance at the Commission of Inquiry, and families asked to be financially compensated instead. The families have apparently stated that the only thing that would bring them closure would be if they were compensated a “configured” amount for their losses.

Minister Radebe, appearing on Talk Radio 702, announced this morning that funding has been made available to the victims’ families to allow them to attend the Farlam Commission. The relatives live as far away as Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, and many of them are unemployed.

The inquiry into the death of 47 people continues today at the Rustenburg Civic Centre.

[Source: EWN 1; EWN 2]