South Africa police "lied" over Marikana massacre: inquiry commission South African police lied about the mass shooting of striking miners at Marikana last year, according to a commission of inquiry. It accuses police of falsifying and hiding documents, as well as giving false accounts of events. The accusations are bound to increase anger among miners. Last week they held a protest in Pretoria over the government's refusal to pay legal fees for those giving evidence. The commission was appointed by President Zuma to investigate the killing by police of 34 miners at a mine run by the platinum giant Lonmin on August 16, 2012. The commission says it has recently gained access to documents demonstrating that the police version of events was "not the truth." Widespread outrage at the shooting is now compounded by these new accusations suggesting a police cover-up. More about: Police, Shootings, South Africa, Strike