ANC Statements

From 12 to 16 August 2012 tragedy befell the community of Nkaneng in the North West Province in what is known as the Marikana tragedy. On these violent days 38 mineworkers were killed, 2 police officers and 2 security personnel brutally murdered whilst 78 miners were seriously wounded.

To change face of the mining industry and to guarantee miners’ rights the ANC led government introduced progressive laws to regulate the mining industry and other sectors of the economy. Amongst these laws is the Labour Relations Act (LRA), Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS) and other laws designed to protect and regulate relations between employees and employers, setting norms and standards for the mining houses for compliance with safety and environmental issues, amongst others.

In partnership with other stakeholders, multidisciplinary interventions are being undertaken in Marikana to alleviate the plight of the community. Some key highlights include:-

• Establishment of an agricultural hub which created 500 jobs;
• Extended the living wage to include pension and retirement benefits in line with the labour dispensation;
• Construction of Marikana Combined School and Marikana Secondary schools and installation of a computer laboratory;
• Building of a clinic and community hall;
• Donation of R80 million rand land by Stillwater to build houses;
• Payment of reparations to the value of R170 million to the widows and families of the tragedy;
• Establishment of an Education Trust to cater for the educational needs of the children of the deceased;
• Building of houses and a joint memorandum of cooperation between the Housing Development Agency and Sibanye Stillwater to address the needs of the community;
• Plans are underway to erect a memorial site;
• Conversion single sex units into family units the value of R382 million; and
• Installation of a network tower to provide internet services to community

The ANC condemns usage of the Marikana tragedy as a political tool. Insensitive and opportunistic populism and deliberate peddling of misinformation about the tragedy and its aftermath is highly regrettable. It is done at the expense of healing and national unity in a desperate attempt to gain political mileage.

The ANC joins millions of South Africans in remembrance of the fateful days of 12 to 16 August 2012. South Africa is a constitutional democracy founded on dialogue and negotiations and resolution of deadlock through compromise, offering a win-win to all parties. The regrettable outcomes during the Marikana tragedy should never ever be allowed to find foot in the current epoch.

The ANC dips its flag in remembrance.

END/

ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

Enquiries:

Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri
ANC NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON
076 891 5420

JP Louw
ACTING NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
066 056 0911