Riah Phiyega said that 34 miners were killed on Thursday and another 78 wounded when her officers used "maximum force" near Marikana mine, owned by Lonmin, the London-listed company.
They did so when a gang of "heavily armed" miners rushed towards them, armed with firearms as well as clubs and machetes. "Police retreated and were forced to use maximum force to defend themselves," said Ms Phiyega.
