South Africa to release report on Marikana tragedy

South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday promised to release a report by the end of June on the Marikana tragedy in which 44 people were killed during a mining unrest in 2012.

While delivering his Presidency budget vote speech in Parliament, Zuma said he needs time to properly consider the report before releasing it.

"I know and appreciate the anxiety of those who are affected, however it will be inappropriate for me to just release the report without applying my mind sufficiently, the report will be released before the end of next month," Zuma said.

This came after families of victims in the Marikana tragedy on Monday threatened to go to courts to force Zuma to release the report after a deadline was missed.

The workers injured and arrested in the Marikana tragedy, their families, and the Association of Minerworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), had set a deadline for 14:00 on Sunday for Zuma to say when he would release the report.

After the deadline was passed, families of the victims had to seek a court order to force Zuma to release the report, their lawyers said.

The overdue report is expected to address public, national and international concerns arising out of the events which led to the deaths of approximately 44 people, including 34 miners shot dead by police during labor unrest at Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana, North West Province in August 2012.

The Marikana tragedy was believed to be the worst mine tragedy in post-apartheid era.

Soon after the tragedy, Zuma set up the Marikana Commission to investigate the real causes leading to the tragedy. The Commission has submitted a report to Zuma after more than two years of investigation.

The report is expected to contain serious recommendations, what was behind the killing of striking miners and who should be held accountable.

Zuma said on Tuesday that he has consulted with Judge Ian Farlam who leads the Commission after receiving the report.

The Presidency on Monday denied that Zuma had deliberately delaying releasing the report.

Zuma said two weeks ago that he was still processing the report on the Marikana tragedy and will release it publicly in due course.

The commission has made some serious recommendations that require careful consideration, Zuma said.

"Therefore, it is important to apply my mind carefully so that our response ensures that the events that took place in Marikana are not allowed to happen again in our country," Zuma said.

"Everything is being done to ensure that the matters are concluded as soon as possible," said the president. Endi