JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's justice minister says investigators for a commission of inquiry into violence during a miners strike can enter and search premises, summon witnesses and demand documentation from other investigations.

Jeff Radebe announced more details of the four-month inquiry on Friday which will look at the role of police, Lonmin and unions in the violence that led to the deaths of 45 people in Marikana in August. He says the first phase of the inquiry will cost more than 20 million rand ($2.4 million).

Radebe says there will be public hearings on the inquiry starting Oct. 1 in Marikana. Investigations begin next week.

Most of those who died at Marikana, northwest of Johannesburg, were killed by police on Aug. 16 as they sought to disarm and disperse strikers.
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AP