ANC IN PARLIAMENT WELCOMES PRESIDENT’S ANNOUNCEMENT ON DEADLINE FOR MARIKANA REPORT
26 May 2015
The African National Congress in Parliament welcomes President Jacob Zuma’s commitment during today’s presentation of his office’s 2015-2016 budget vote in the National Assembly to release the Marikana Report before the end of June 2015.
On 23 August 2012 the President appointed the Marikana Commission of Enquiry to investigate the circumstances that led to the tragic killings of 44 people at the Lonmin Mine in Marikana. The commission has since completed its work and handed its report to the President. Subsequent to the finalisation of the report, the President received further briefing from Commission chairman Judge Ian Farlam. The President is carefully and comprehensively considering its contents for an appropriate response and release to the public.
The ANC in Parliament appreciates and shares the anxiety of the families and others affected by the tragic events at Marikana regarding the public release of the report. However, it would be inappropriate and a dereliction of duty on the part of the President to unduly act hastily in his consideration of the report.
We believe that the work that the Commission conducted during the course of almost three years, which culminated in this report, was thorough, careful and meticulous. It is therefore important that the President does not unnecessarily rush in his engagement with it, but considers it comprehensively and carefully to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to ensure that the tragic events at Marikana do not recur.
Like the rest of South Africans, the ANC in Parliament is looking forward to the release of the report, which will shed light on the facts pertaining to the circumstances that led to the tragedy that claimed the lives of 44 people, injury of 70 people and arrest of approximately 250 people. The President’s commitment to provide the nation with deadline on the report’s release today illustrates his sensitivity and understanding for the anxiety suffered particularly by those involved.
The ANC in Parliament also expresses its appreciation of the work done by the government to curb the recent spate of violent attacks against foreign nationals. The ugly acts by few individuals threatened to tarnish our standing on the global stage as a welcoming and peaceful nation build on the values of Ubuntu and unity in diversity.
In his budget vote speech today, the President reported that government’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration is attending to some of the concerns raised by South Africans, including among others, the alleged involvement of some foreigners in crime, unfair business practices, drug dealing, and the influx of illegal migrants.
We are pleased with the work done by government in ensuring that criminal elements, regardless of nationality, are rooted out of communities as it continues to stress the importance of peaceful and harmonious coexistence. We are confident that the excellent work done by government in this regard will go a long way in ensuring that such ugly incidents do not recur in this country.
We further appreciate the great strides announced by the President in the fight against drug abuse amongst the youth as well as clamping down on drug trafficking by syndicates. Since the President’s visit to Eldorado Park in Johannesburg, which is amongst areas hardest hit by drug abuse and drug peddling, a task team was established to work with the community after the visit and an integrated plan of action was rolled out to fight the scourge in various affected provinces.
We agree with the President that South Africa has a good story to tell, with various independent local and international institutions showing improved and positive ratings for South Africa in areas of governance, global competitiveness, judicial independence, foreign investment, life expectancy and human development
Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, May 26 2015
