Killing of workers continues in Marikana

The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the North West province have learned with shock and dismay about the murder of the NUM branch Chairperson in Lonmin Western Platinum last night.

COSATU is shocked because these killings continue even after there was a Peace Agreement facilitated by the Deputy President of the country and all parties were involved.

COSATU believes that this action continues because some organisations were reluctant to sign the peace accord and the agreement brokered by the president and this shows that they were never committed to bringing peace and stability in the area.

COSATU have several times called on the President of the country to declare a state of emergency in the Marikana area until the situation has normalised and COSATU wants to repeat that call that the president must declare a state of emergency in Marikana, which is informed by the fact that workers are killing each other on a daily basis.

The police must not say they are doing all within their power to safeguard our poor workers while workers are killed on a daily basis.

COSATU want to take this opportunity to send a message of condolence to the family of the deceased who have now lost their loved one and a provider to the family. May his soul rest in peace!

Statement issued by Solly Phetoe, COSATU North West Provincial Secretary, October 18 2013

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