Marikana: Four years on and still no Justice

16 August 2016

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the senseless and tragic massacre of 44 South Africans by the state at the Lonmin Mine in Marikana, North West Province. On behalf of the Democratic Alliance, I wish to take this opportunity to extend my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of all 44 victims of this horrific occurrence.

Despite the magnitude of this tragedy – and the overwhelming political influence in its unfolding - we stand here four years laterwithout justice for those who lost their lives. Those who presided over the massacre still hold high office, and there has been no accountability, or reckoning.

Since 2012, no development has unfolded in Marikana and its surrounding areas. Where are the houses, roads, clinics and basic services that were promised by the various government departments? It has been four years, and no one has come to apologise for what they have done; no one has taken accountability; no one has come forward with solutions for the mess which they created.

The ANC continues to disregard the lives of poor black South Africans – governing as if their lives do not matter.  It is thus no surprise that on 03 August 2016, the people of Marikana took to the ballot box and shattered the ANC’s majority in the Rustenberg Local Municipality.

The rejection of ANC arrogance is only the beginning of rebuilding the community of Marikana, where four years ago an uncaring government sanctioned the use of state machinery to mitigate the fight taken up by workers for a fairer life.

Political parties who place their own interests and profits ahead of the needs of the people should be voted out, so that the process of change, justice and healing can take place. 

Late last year, the Democratic Alliance petitioned Parliament to establish a compensation fund for the families of the victims of the tragic events of 2012. This fund would help with ensuring that the children of those brave men would be able to better their lives with education, and that the widows would be able to put food on their tables, and live with some form of dignity. Parliament has dragged its feet in this regard, but it is the same institution that approves a budget that will pay for R4-billion presidential jet.

We, as a people, have a duty to rebuild this community in order to keep the memories of the deceased alive. The history books must write about what happened here so that we can learn from history.

What we must work towards is ensuring that what happened at Marikana never happens again. Never must the lives of workers be undermined, and never must the pursuit of a better life be treated in a criminal fashion.

As the Democratic Alliance, we are engaged with changing the country for the better, and we stand side by side with the people of South Africa in the fight for a dignified and fair life.

Issued by Mabine Seabe, Spokesperson to the DA Leader, 16 August 2016