Commemorators on Marikana’s koppies on 16 August 2022 ahead of the massacre’s 10th anniversary. Image Credit: Phill Magakoe / AFP
(The Post News) – The Marikana community remembers the wage strike that led to the death of 34 miners exactly 13 years ago, while also drawing attention to the lack of justice for the victims’ families.
On 16 August 2012, police opened fire on miners protesting for livable wages at Lonmin’s platinum mine, now Sibanye-Stillwater. The shooting killed 34 miners and injured 78, one of the deadliest police attacks in South Africa’s democracy.
One of the wounded survivors, Mzoxolo Magidigwana, continues to speak out about the massacre. He recalls being charged with five counts of murder despite being shot 9 times. After the attack, police arrested Magidigwana, along with 263 miner, for the killings of ten people while protestingminers.
Magidigwana said the community continuously urged the government to make the koppie, site of the shooting, a permanent memorial. There have also been calls to declare the of 16 August a public holiday.
The Allied Mineworkers and Construction Union, of which Magidigwana is a member, announced plans at today’s commemoration event to develop the koppie. The union said it is in advanced stages of turning the site into a permanent memorial for Marikana victims.
Mgidigwana also called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to apologise and peacefully engage with the community. Investigations found that Ramaphosa sent emails to the police as the non-executive Lonmin director. The email urged the police to take a heavy-handed approach through “concomitant action” against the protestors.
While the government has taken accountability for the actions that occurred that fateful day Ramaphosa, personally had not. Furthermore, no prosecutions have been carried out, leaving the community questioning the justice system.
Widow Nandipha Yona said the government’s response has been non-existent. She noted that the most the government has done is provide financial support for lost income. The government has reportedly paid R350 million in claims.
“There is a lot we still need to ask and speak to the government about,” she said. She added that the Marikana community may only find peace once the government comes to Marikana and addresses their concerns.
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) executive director Nomzamo Zondo has condemned the lack of true accountability, saying it betrays the promise of justice and undermines trust in the legal system.
Please share your thoughts; contact Lukhona via email:Â journalist-lukhona@thepostnews.net.
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