\u201cNow that the Claasen Commission report recommends that Police National Commissioner Riah Phiyega be fired\u201a we strongly believe that Ramaphosa and Mthethwa are the first to be fired for their involvement in the massacre\u201a\u201d he added.
Bloem said COPE was \u201ceagerly looking forward to the day when Phiyega will have her day in court to defend herself and tell the country who gave the police instructions to use live ammunition and kill the 34 miners\u201d.
\u201cWe are well aware that Mthethwa was in constant contact with Phiyega before the action because of the volatility of the situation. It is absolutely wrong and unacceptable to throw the blame on one person. \u201cRamaphosa cannot deny the fact that he and Mthethwa were in contact in the days leading up to the massacre.
We are convinced that these discussions must indeed [have] had some bearing on the decision that was taken to employ live ammunition. \u201cCOPE believes that the truth can never be concealed\u201a sooner or later the country will know the truth. We want to reiterate that Zuma and his government must not use Phiyega as a scapegoat.
\u201cMthethwa and Ramaphosa must also be fired from their positions and be criminally charged for the massacre of the 34 mine workers at Marikana\u201a\u201d Bloem stated.<\/p>\n