Police opened fire while trying to disperse protesting miners encamped on a hill in Marikana, killing 34 mineworkers and wounding 78 on August 16.
Several legal representatives from opposing sides presented their opening remarks with each of the parties outlining their arguments to be followed during the Marikana Commission of Inquiry's proceedings.
The commission was established to investigate events that led to the massacre during a strike at Lonmin's Platinum Mine in Marikana.
But lawyers for miners arrested and injured in a shooting told the commission that they were considering pulling out of the proceedings.
"We have found a pattern characterised by many things... treating victims of this matter with such disdain that we can't continue," advocate Dali Mpofu told the inquiry's chairman, retired judge Ian Farlam.
Mpofu said they were increasingly getting frustrated by the government not coming to the party to assist families and it showed disdain towards the families.
"There has been a refusal by government to assist representatives of the victims... even with logistical support."