Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has given the Marikana Commission of Inquiry more time to complete its work.

On Monday, he announced the extension of the Commission’s term from 31 July 2014 to 30 September.

“After engagement between the President, the Chairperson of the Commission and the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, it became evident that the Commission would not be able to complete its investigation by 31 July 2014, hence the extension of the term of the Commission,” the Presidency said.

The commission – chaired by retired judge Ian Farlam – was set up by President Zuma to look into the tragic events which took place around the Marikana mine in Rustenburg, in the North West province, in 2012.

At least 44 people were killed, while roughly 70 were injured and over 250 were arrested in the wake of strike-related unrest.