GOVERNMENT is set to build a a memorial site in honour of the mineworkers who were killed during the Marikana strike in 2012 that resulted in the deaths of 44 people.
The Government Communication Information Services said in a statement that the executive mayor of Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, Matlakala Nondzaba, in partnership with Sibanye-Stillwater, recently visited the Marikana koppie to assess the place where the memorial site for the mineworkers who died in 2012 would be built.
The GCIS said “the memorial site aims to heal the families who lost their loved ones and also bring closure.”
Minister in The Presidency, Mondli Gungubele said “the Marikana tragedy was a turning point in the history of democratic South Africa and one that must never be repeated. It exposed the gaps in South Africa’s socio-economic order and provided an opportunity for introspection. Government continues to implement the recommendations of the Farlam Commission led by retired Judge Ian Gordon Farlam.”
Gungubele said “government has been working tirelessly to ensure all the recommendations made by the Farlam Commission are implemented.”
He said as part of reparation between the mine and the community of Marikana, the government is encouraged that Sibanye-Stillwater has employed some of the widows and relatives of the deceased miners so that they can look after their families.
Furthermore, the mine has established a Women in Mining Committee to address issues of gender-based violence and women empowerment.
Gungubele said together with Sibanye-Stillwater which bought the Lonmin Platinum Mine in 2019 – government and other stakeholders are working directly with the community of Marikana to find long-lasting peace and a positive leg
The GCIS has noted that over R176 million has been paid to the affected claimants in Marikana, adding that the Solicitor-General, Fhedzisani Pandelani, “half of the forty-eight (48) remaining cases have been settled.”
“The outstanding matters that are before the courts will be finalised by the end of August 2022, as directed by Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba, who has instructed the parties to settle each matter on a case-management basis.”
According to the GCIS two cases relating to the Marikana matter had been enrolled at the High Court of South Africa; North West Division. The third case is currently sitting at the North Gauteng High Court.
In the first case, General Mzondase Mpembe, the former Deputy Police Commissioner and three senior police officers, Brigadier Jacobus van Zyl, Brigadier Dingaan Madoda and Lieutenant Colonel Oupa Pule, faced a charge of defeating the ends of justice. This was the charge linked to them alleged to have concealed the murder of Mr Modisaotsile Van Wyk Segalala (60), who allegedly died in a police vehicle. This matter was finalised in March 2021 after they were acquitted of this charge.
The second case currently before court involves General Mpembe and five other police officers, Colonel Salmon Vermaak, Constable Nkosana Mguye, Warrant Officer (WO) Katlego Sekgweleya, WO Masilo Mogale and WO Khazamola Makhubela. The officers are charged with the murder of three police officers and two miners who died during the confrontation between the police and miners.
The third case is the State versus Anele Zonke and others. The accused are charged with the murders of police officers, security officers and other non-striking employees; attempted murders, and malicious damage to properties of mine buildings, cars and other properties. The case is before the North Gauteng High Court on a review application by the accused. The matter has been remanded to 9 September 2022 pending the finalisation of the decision in North Gauteng.
Other matters that are a subject of a court are the killings of Mr Isaiah Twala, WO Tsietsi Monene, WO Sello Lepaku, Mr Hassan Fundi and Mr Frans Mabelane. Regarding the events that took place on 16 August 2012, at what was known as Scene 1 and Scene 2, investigations are still unfolding.
The Department of Human Settlements (DHS) has launched a housing project in Marikana worth R700 million, with several housing units already built. The housing project is for the distressed mining community around the Nkaneng informal settlement in Marikana. Bulk infrastructure was also installed.
The DHS had built 511 housing units in Marikana, which were regrettably illegally occupied before they could be handed over to the qualifying beneficiaries.
At the end of August 2020, Sibanye-Stillwater handed over six renovated or newly acquired homes to the Marikana widows in the Eastern Cape and Lesotho. A further 13 houses were expected to be built or acquired in 2022, as part of the initiative started by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union Trust to furnish some of the homes of the widows.
Sibanye-Stillwater has donated 50 hectares of land worth R80 million to the Rustenburg Local Municipality to build houses for the residents of Marikana.
“The tragedy that happened in Marikana is regrettable and as government we commit to do everything possible to ensure it never happens again. Our constitutional democracy provides for the right of all workers, those who choose to withhold their labour and those that decide to be non-participants in strike actions without any fear or favour. We will continue to build a tolerant society and a police force that respects these rights,” said Gungubele.
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